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Persecution of North Caucasian People Continues

March 7, 2014
 
Nino Devidze

Human Rights Center, Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association and Former Political Prisoners for Human Rights addressed to the Government of Georgia about persecution of North Caucasian people and their disappearance facts in Georgia. Three concrete cases were discussed during the press-conference in the press-club of the Prime Time. 

Head of Human Rights Center Aleko Tskitishvili said the cases are of different character but they have one common – Georgian law enforcement officers persecute North Caucasian people: “Short time ago, relatives found Dagestanian refugee Magamed Magamedov in the Russian prison, who had disappeared in Georgia a year ago in an obscure circumstances. It should be investigated and estimated whether Magamed Magamedov appeared in Russian prison as a result of informal cooperation between Georgian and Russian special forces. Persecution of people, who hold Georgian citizenship and refugee status, is particularly alarming, because fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution of Georgia and international/national law are breached.”

Lawyer Gela Nikoleishvili informed journalists about the case of Mikail Kadiev and Rizvan Omarov, who were arrested on June 13, 2013. “According to the official information spread by the MIA, Mikail Kadiev and Rizvan Omarov intended “to organize terrorist acts in public places.” Although TV-channels actively reported about detention of terrorists, no relevant charge was imposed on Kadiev and Omarov afterwards. They were accused of illegal purchase-possession of armament and ammunition.  Furthermore, investigation does not have valid evidence to prove that accused persons really had illegal possessions.  The trial has been underway for nine months already. However, there is real threat that Kadiev might be extradited to Russia, where he might be either liquidated or tortured and inhumanly treated.” 

Maya Khutsishvili of the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association spoke about Georgian citizen Saikhan Musaev, who tried tried to leave Georgia to travel to England for education three times but border officers did not allow him to cross border. “Article 22 of the Georgian Constitution guarantees right to free movement, including traveling to another country, for Georgian citizens. MIA refuses to clarify legal and factual grounds of the restriction. It is alarming that MIA did not comment on the fact even after the Public Defender of Georgia addressed to the Ministry for clarifications. We call on the MIA to allow Saikhan Musaev to leave the country,” Maya Khutsishvili said. 

Human rights defenders call on the government to launch investigation into disappearance of refugee Magamed Magamedov from Georgia and his appearance in Russian prison. Government of Georgia shall not extradite Mikail Kadiev and other persons, under threat of liquidation and torture, to Russia and Ministry of Internal Affairs shall give well-grounded clarification to the society about legal motives of restricting right to travel for Georgian citizen Saikhan Muzaev.

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