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Akhmed Chataev Appeals to International Human Rights Defenders

November 29, 2012

Chechen refugees Akhmed Chataev arrested in Georgia, whose extradition is demanded by the Russian authority, appeals to diplomatic corps and international human rights organizations for help. Chataev is accused of illegal purchase, possession, carriage of firearms. He does not plead guilty. Human Rights Center, whose lawyer defends his rights, states that Chataev is arbitrary prisoner.

“I am legally staying in Georgia. My wife and an underage child live in Pankisi gorge. On August 28, I went to Lopota Gorge from Tbilisi via the request of the leaders of counter-terrorist center of the MIA. I travelled from Tbilisi to Telavi by taxi; then officers of counter-terrorist center took me to Lapankuri by car.  MIA senior officers requested me involvement for negotiations between armed Chechen and Kist militants located in the gorge. The government of Georgia requested the group of militants, who intended to travel to Chechnya via Dagestan, to surrender to Georgian law enforcement officers. I entered the gorge to negotiate with militants and afterwards I told the leaders of the counter-terrorist center, that the militants refused to put down arms; they promised to return to Pankisi Gorge if the riot police left the gorge. Senior officials of the Counter-Terrorist Center asked me to wait for several minutes. I think they had to agree the militants’ requests with their senior. About 15 minutes later, when I was waiting for the reply, a sniper wounded me in the leg. I managed to hide in the forest while 2-3 hours of open fire ensued. 

I stayed in Lopota Gorge for 10 days. Meanwhile my wound was untreated and could not walk. I walked to the road with the support of a stick and swore to the frontiers that I was alone and without arms. The frontiers, who met me on the road, provided me with his first medical aid, bandaged my wound and informed senior officers about my surrender. Afterwards, I was initially taken to Tbilisi, then to Gori military hospital where my left leg was amputated. I did not have any weapon with me in the gorge. I had a cell-phone, a wallet and snickers with me. I broke and threw away the phone when they wounded me. The frontiers took the wallet from me during detention.  I have been in jail hospital since September 18.

Trial has been postponed several times. Prosecutor’s office refuses to change my imprisonment into bail that is unfair decision in my opinion.

Prosecutor’s office has already questioned me with regard to the special operation in the Lopota Gorge; I made testimony in presence of my lawyer and if they have additional questions, I am ready to answer them. So, November 26 statement of the Minister of Justice of Georgia Thea Tsulukiani about unreasonability of my release from imprisonment is completely unclear for me. 

Today, on November 29, Tbilisi City Court had scheduled trial on my case at 10:30 am; when nobody took me to the court, I asked the reason to security guards of the prison and they said the car had not arrived to transport me. Prison administration told me they had not received request on my transportation to the court.

I am not guilty; I have not committed the crime the chief prosecutor’s office of Georgia blames me for. Witnesses, who initially alleged that I had two hand-grenades with me, denied this allegation in their new testimonies to the prosecutor’s office; they said the MIA officers had compelled them to make first testimonies. 

So, it is strange for me why prosecutor’s office refuses to release me. I appeal to international human rights organizations to study my case and did not allow the Georgian authority to extradite me to Russia though Ministry of Justice of Georgia had denied this information. I also request international organizations to assist me to be released from arbitrary detention and to receive timely and adequate medical treatment to avoid possible worsening of my health,” Akhmed Chataev wrote in his appeal.

As a result of counter-terrorist special operation in Lapankuri, two MIA officers and one military doctor were killed, five Georgian riot police officers were wounded, seven members of the paramilitary group were killed; two of them were Georgian citizens.

Chataev is famous Chechen warrior. Residents of Pankisi gorge respect him. In 2000, during the second Chechen war, Russian soldiers kidnapped wounded Chataev from Uru-Martan hospital; they ruthlessly tortured him, cut his right hand and switched him to the electricity. Chataev is an ally and official representative of Akhmed Zakaev in Austria, Chechen leader living in Britain.

Chataev has lived in Duisi, Pankisi gorge since 2010; Refugee status granted by Austria in 2003 protects him from Russia.

In Austria, Chataev was known as a member of Umar Ismailov, personal body guard of Ramzan Kadirov, Chechen commander. In January of 2009 Ismailov was killed in Vienna. Ismailov accused Kadirov of mass murders.

In March of 2007, Chataev was arrested for the carriage of weapon in Sweden and was released from imprisonment in January 2009.

In January 2010 Chataev was arrested in Ukraine. Moscow categorically demanded his extradition but finally, via involvement of the European Court of Human Rights, it did not happen. Refugee status saved him from extradition.

In March, 2010 Ukrainian government deported Chataev to Georgia and Georgian authority assisted him.

In May 2011, Chataev was again arrested on Turkish-Bulgarian border; Russia again requested his extradition but with the support of human rights organizations and based on court judgment, Chataev was released and he returned to Georgia.

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