The ECHR communicated the complaint of Makhmud Velitov

Russia will have to answer the questions of the Strasbourg court in connection with the complaint of the imam of the Moscow Yardyam mosque, who was convicted for publicly justifying terrorism.

On January 10, 2018, the European Court of Human Rights communicated complaint against the verdict handed down to the imam of the Moscow mosque "Yardyam" Mahmud Velitov. Recall April 28 2017, the Moscow Military Court found Velitov guilty under Part 1 of Art. 205.2 CC RF (public justification of terrorism) and sentenced him to 3 years in a general colony mode. On August 1, 2017, this sentence was approved by the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation.

The reason for the persecution was that 23 September 2013 during the Friday sermon and prayer for the dead to Abdulla Gappaev, who died in Kizlyar, probably involved in the activities of the banned in Russia, the Islamic religious party "Hizb ut-Tahrir", Imam Velitov allegedly made statements justifying terrorist activities. The Human Rights Center “Memorial” considers the persecution of Velitov to be groundless.

In connection with Velitov's complaint, the court in Strasbourg ruled a number of questions before Russia. The ECtHR inquired whether the judgment issued to Velitov sentence of interference with the exercise of his rights to freedom of religion and freedom of expression guaranteed by Art. 9 and 10 of the European Convention on protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and whether such interference justified, and also whether Velitov was provided with a fair trial, guaranteed Art. 6 of the European Convention, in particular:

led whether the Russian courts are relevant and sufficient grounds for interference, and whether their decisions were based on a due assessment of the facts, applying the standards referred to in Art. 10 of the European Convention;

indicated whether the courts, which particular fragments of Velitov's sermon caused them criticism;

based whether the courts when making decisions on the opinions of experts;

· was whether the interference with the exercise of Velitov’s rights was dictated by an urgent public need, whether it pursued a legitimate aim, and whether the imam sentence;

· Not whether during the trial the equality of the parties was violated due to the fact that expert opinion, commissioned by the defense, was not accepted by the court for consideration.

Sources

• Application no. 73328/17 Makhmud Abdulkhakovich VELITOV against Russia lodged on 4 October 2017 // European Court of Human Rights. 2018.