"She sits for all of us"

Zarifa Sautiev for a long time was the deputy director of the memorial complex to the victims of repression in Ingushetia. In evil irony, she is now among these victims

I met Zarifa in early April 2019, immediately after the March rally in Magas. I will not pretend that I managed to recognize her well. But even a short conversation discovered in her a mental person, very pleasant in communication and at the same time tough in fundamental issues. In contrast with Ingush men who can not refuse brutality, she seemed to personify the soft side of the Force. Forces that is capable of, if not for everything, then very much.

She spoke frankly on the case. Sometimes with a anguish. About the Ingush land, which since the tsarist times has passed many times from hand to hand; about injustice, when important decisions for all decisions are taken secretly from the people; about the elementary observance of the law, which in itself is able to remove most of the contradictions.

The next day I first saw her behind bars. It was a grille of a fence of the Magasian court. The verdict is a fine of 20 thousand rubles for participating in an unauthorized event. We can say that there were: some participants in the March rally were then immediately transferred to the pre -trial detention center. Three months later they came for Zarifa.

"There is a special reason ..."

It is important to understand what happened on March 26 and 27 last year in Magas. It was the second mass rally after the transfer of part of the Ingush lands of Chechnya. Solving the issue of borders, neither the Ingush, nor the Chechen, nor the federal government even thought to pre -discuss this painful issue with citizens. But, unlike the October speeches, when the main agenda was the land issue, political slogans already sounded in March. In particular, the requirement of the resignation of Yevkurov. The rally was declared unlimited after the protesting was set up a strict condition: to clean the area by six in the evening.

Zarifa Sautiev Photo: From Personal Archive

On the morning of March 27, another tough attempt to oust people from the square develops into a clash of the protesters with Rosguard. Obviously, violence against representatives of the authorities really took place. The fact that it was provoked by them by ourselves, we take out the brackets. And if in a “Moscow business” sucked from a finger, the punishment follows the careless touches of the policeman or a paper cup thrown in his direction, then chairs flew here in the security forces. Among them are fifty victims. It would seem that everything is simple: to punish the perpetrators and close this topic, without raising the degree of already overheated moods in society. But those who make decisions seem to have other ideas about expediency. For more than six months, people who are not related to the riots are sitting in a pre -trial detention center. However, the investigation believes that it was they who organized these riots.

Ahmed Buzurtanov, editor -in -chief of the sixth portal resource, calls the mass persecution of activists only as a punitive operation. He himself is now free only because he is outside of Russia. “Judge for yourself: activists and leaders who appeared on the call to the investigating authorities and courts, first are released in order to detain again in a few days. But already demonstratively tough. Early in the morning, Bether and Urals block entire quarters, employees of the Russian Guard and the FSB are wrapped in their homes through fences and gardens, frightening children and elderly people. With bags on the heads of the accused are taken to other regions on helicopters. ”

Magas. Member of the rally against the agreement on the establishment of the administrative border of the Republic of Ingushetia with the neighboring Chechen Republic photo: Elena Afonina/TASS

The pressure intensified in other directions. Ahmed says that the Ministry of Justice began the procedure for the accelerated liquidation of the Tapa Council. Journalists and social activists fell under hard pressure. Even organizations that have nothing to do with protests are involved in the problems of domestic violence and counteracting radicalism. Some offices were searches, many were declared foreign agents.

In his opinion, partly such an intimidation policy worked: the authorities managed to stop active mass street actions. But she did not achieve mass fear. “Protest moods have not gone anywhere,” says Ahmed. - And how the investigating authorities are frankly mocking people who have already become national heroes, it certainly does not reduce these sentiments. Society has not yet said its last word. ”

A woman means guilty

The first accusation of Sariff Sautieva was charged in August 2019. She is accused of organizing the application of violence to a representative of the authorities in the performance of his official duties. Part 2 of Article 282.1 of the Criminal Code, she faces up to ten years in prison. There are a lot of interesting formulations in the text of the accusation. For some of them, the lawyer Zarifi Bilan Dzugaev pays special attention.

“The Zarifa is charged with that she, along with other activists in the morning on the square, entered into a conspiracy to organize the beating of government representatives (part 3 of article 33, part 2 of article 318 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). How this conspiracy occurred is not specified. But it is argued that, conducting a direct broadcast on Facebook, she, as a woman, obliged her presence at the rally - it was written: “I obliged” to go to the square to protect her. According to the logic of the investigation, the presence of sores on the square provoked people to beat the Rosgvardists. It turns out that a woman in the square is a criminal act in itself. ”

Bilan notes that it is still not quite clear what the charge is building on. But during the court hearing on the election of a preventive measure, the investigation revealed three facts, in his opinion, irrefutably proving guilt.

1. Photo of the bunker from the rally. This proves that she was there. But no one denies this.

Bilan Dzugaev photo: Nikolai Zhukov

2. The testimony of a classified witness, probably a police officer. Bilan has serious questions for him. “In his testimony, he claims that, fulfilling his duties, he was with her near the morning. And he uses such a phrase: “As it seemed to me, she coordinated the actions of the protesters.” So did you coordinate or not? Actually, the Code of Criminal Procedure prohibits the basis of the accusations, based on rumors and assumptions. What I told the investigator and asked for confrontation. It was denied. " Bilan draws attention to the fact that the “classified witness” secured himself from accusations of perjury with the words “as it seemed to me”. In which case we can always say: and now it seems different.

3. Linguistic examination conducted in the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Chechnya. Several statements made by Zarifa during the broadcast from the rally were taken. And two questions were posed: "Are her statements incentive?" "To whom are they addressed?" Answer: "Yes, they are incentive, turned to an indefinite circle of people." Bilan does not see anything criminal in the results of the examination, even on the contrary. “This, rather, speaks of her non -involvement. Especially if you consider that specifically Zarifa screamed then on emotions. For example, "Do not throw chairs!" And the appeal of the “idiots” to the protesters who participated in a skirmish with the Rosgvardyeans can hardly be considered the approval of their actions. But the court looked at it differently. ”

More recently, in January, Sariff was charged with another charge - participation in the extremist community. No specific facts confirming it, according to Bilan Dzugaev, have not yet been announced. And in itself it seems absurd. “Anti-corruption investigations, protest promotions, the dissemination of information on the network-in a word, everything that activists did, according to the investigation, was aimed at“ destabilization of the socio-political situation in the republic ”. So, it was extremist activity. ”

According to this article, Zarifa threatens up to six years in prison.

Rightness and determination

We will not initially be biased to the effects of the investigation. Perhaps even without serious reasons in hand, in general it acts for the good of society and in the name of justice. After all, Zarifa theoretically can pose a threat to both for the other. Or not? Let's try to understand this.

The stages of the career of the person who are now wanting to represent an extremist are very eloquent: a school, a library, a cadet corps, and finally a memorial complex to the victims of repression. The Zarifa combined the work with active social activities, in particular, in the organization of the Ingushetia support, which deals with the problems of the Ingush of the suburban district.

The important qualities of the future activist Zarif began to show in childhood. Her sister Aza Soutiev recalls when their eight -year -old brother went to school, she said that she also wanted to study. There were five Zarifa, but she already read well and even knew by heart Tatyana from Eugene Onegin. Mom had to specifically go to the district, ask the girl to be taken to first grade. “It happened that we did not want to wake her early in the morning. She was so small, I wanted to let her sleep. But, waking up, she rolled up the tantrum: how so, she was not woke up to school. I climbed under the bed and could sit there before dinner in protest. ”

Aza says that she graduated from Sariff's school well. It could have been excellent, but a heightened sense of justice did not allow her to evade conflict situations with teachers. And this affected the assessments. But already at the university she received a red diploma.

Isabella Evloeva studied with Zarifa in one school, a couple of years younger. It turned out, however, much later, when, already in adulthood, they became friends. Often intersected at various events, worked together on projects, were nearby all ten days of the October rally. Isabella is now in Europe. At first she went there for an internship, then she remained for security reasons. She is the creator and editor -in -chief of Fortanga.org - perhaps the key information resource of the republic.

Ahmed Buzurtanov photo: Nikolai Zhukov

“Zarifu has always been distinguished by straightforwardness and determination,” recalls Isabella. - In the modern world, where it is familiar to cunning and hypocrite, this is a rare combination of qualities. True, its straightforwardness sometimes almost violated the unwritten rules of decency. So, after the transfer of land to Chechnya those who were connected with this, people began to be called “transfers”. And she could tell such people right in the face. And decisiveness did not always go for the benefit of herself. ”

Ahmed Buzurtanov in the best times worked with Zarifa in Ikna (Ingush Committee of National Unity) and in various public projects. He calls her a very effective manager and talented communicator. “She knew how to attract young people and easily found a common language with creative people: writers, artists of photographers,” he says. - Therefore, the events organized by it were interesting to everyone. What is only the project “I am an eyewitness”, uniting documentary certificates and a video interview with still surviving victims of deportation. Only for this can be treated with Zarif with immense respect. ”

In emergency mode

Asya Ausheva for a long time worked under the leadership of the bunks in the memorial complex to the victims of repression. “When I came to work here, I probably thought that it was Zarifa - the director of the museum,” she recalls. - Organization of events, presentations, project maintenance, reports - all the work was held on it. Yes, and the atmosphere in the team too. "

After the October rally, Zarif was fired. She was the only civil servant among the leaders of protest, and this status made it very vulnerable. But she managed to recover at work through the court. True, the story did not end there.

Asya says that in the spring the boss changed in the museum. The very idea of ​​putting the cultural center of a person from the Ministry of Emergencies may seem wild and ridiculous at itself. But the new leader set quite definite goals corresponding to his qualifications. Actually, Alikhan Ozdoev himself did not hide them either: to get rid of the chicks and "restore order in the team."

Memorial complex to the victims of repression in Magas, Ingushetia photo: Nikolai Zhukov

Asya recalls that several months under his leadership were a real nightmare. Ozdoev tried to put pressure on her relatives on her relatives, conducted spiritual conversations with the museum’s employees about the dangers of public actions, significantly referred to some curators from the FSB, they say, until Zaphy was fired, nor I will live. Well, in the end, the director brought the work with the personnel to the systematic dismissal of all employees of the complex and replacing them with his relatives. All the museum projects gradually turned off, but in the reports, of course, they were listed as successfully completed.
The turning point was the publication that Asya made on her Facebook account. It spoke about everything that is happening in the museum: about dismissal, numerous violations, and about intrigues around the competition for replacing the vacant position of the head of the museum.

Alikhan tried to confront publicity. One night, he even arrived at Asi's house with the elderly to talk to her father. Like, his daughter consists in a criminal collusion with Zarifa and he must admonish her so that she refuses his words and no longer make publications on the network. Father, of course, sided with his daughter.

Meanwhile, the post was read by the press secretary of Mahmud Ali Kalimatov, who was only preparing to take office as the head of the republic. And two days later the commission came to the museum. Asya tells how the inspectors of three days were versed in the documents, rounding their eyes and even laughing at the primitiveness of the money withdrawal schemes. Alikhan Ozduev was Evkurov's creature. Therefore, according to unspoken agreements, they did not start a matter. Just fired. And with him all his proteges. The old team was restored at work. Almost all.

“Now we are waiting for Zarifa to return,” Rashid Yandiev has no doubt that this will happen. Now he, the main keeper of the museum, is a step above his previous position. As deputy director. - Zarifa will come - we will just go back to its place. Believe me, people do not work here for the sake of salary. ”

Because…

Sarifa had been spent more than six months in jail, like many Ingush activists. But it is the woman behind bars that causes special rejection and the main negative of the investigation. Ahmed Buzurtanov calls this "an act of demonstrative moral violence against the Ingush people." The main and very emotional question that many are asked, “for what?”, Supplies into a few more pragmatic particularities. First of all: why is such a rigid preventive measure chosen? Why not house arrest?

Bilan Dzugaev gives an approximate content of operational certificates to which the investigation refers: “Soutiev has extensive influence in the republic, clan ties. In this regard, she can affect witnesses, destroy evidence, threaten the victims. At the same time, the words “clan”, “ethnic” they literally insert into every sentence. For weight, probably. How a girl can threaten the fighters of the Russian Guard or influence witnesses that no one knows - not a word about this in the certificates. ”

Zarifa Sautiev (in the center) Photo: from personal archive

The petition for house arrest was submitted repeatedly. For the first time, the court refused a formal pretext. The second time - without motivation at all. The investigator himself has the right to change the preventive measure. What he was asked by almost the entire composition of the local national assembly and deputy of the State Duma from Ingushetia under his personal guarantee. There was no answer.

Bilan says that the guarantors addressed the trial with the same question. “The court’s response is very eloquent:“ Personal guarantee cannot be applied, because ... ” - and then, apparently, they forgot to add or simply did not consider it necessary.”

Aza Sautieva admits that he regrets the active position of the naval. “It would be better if she did not go anywhere and was silent. The prison is not a resort. I would be at home now. ”

But Zarif herself, according to Bilan, does not think so. “It seems to her all this terrible injustice, and of course, it is difficult for her, first of all morally. But he definitely does not regret to regret. "

“We are for a good life, not even full, but simply worthy”

The lawyer says that she does not have special claims to the conditions of detention in the Nalchik insulator. But the problem is that everything is not limited to the insulator. There are, for example, autosaki. These are iron banks that are hot in the summer, and freeze in winter. Inside, prisoners sit in the so -called glasses - vertical iron boxes. It is impossible to stretch your legs in them - they quickly flow, and there is nothing to hold on to - it shakes you and hits on the walls. At short distances, this is still tolerant. But since in this case the procedural actions are very scattered, sometimes you have to carry out several hours in this position. Otherwise, it is difficult to call it torture. “I saw her after such a trip from Nalchik to Stavropol and back. All in bruises. Malsag Tsemkhov and Ahmed Barakhoev rode with her together. Zarifa talked about this with tears in her eyes: "Okay, but they are older people, you can’t do it with them."

National support

Everyone knows about the activities of the "Embarrasses" in Ingushetia. This is a truly folk project that does not have a formal status. Его ядро — несколько человек, которые взяли на себя миссию по сбору средств, покупке и доставке продуктов заключенным, что продолжают сидеть в СИЗО по так называемому ингушскому делу (на сегодняшний день их осталось 28 человек). Идейный вдохновитель и главная движущая сила этой небольшой волонтерской организации — Аза Халухаева.

Аза Халухаева Фото: Николай Жуков

Она простой парикмахер. Хотя «простой» — наверное, не совсем справедливо. Скорее, востребованный мастер. Признается, что в последнее время на работу катастрофически не хватает времени. «Клиенты звонят: “Аза, где ты?” Where am I? Я с журналистами, я в Нальчике, я на расфасовке».

Аза мечтала создать организацию по защите прав женщин — в Ингушетии в этой сфере очень много нерешенных проблем. «Как только я написала об этом в сети — сразу заклеймили феминисткой, — вспоминает она. — И тут арестовывают Зарифу. Стало понятно, что вот та женщина, которая сейчас больше всего нуждается в помощи и поддержке. С нее все и началось».

Аза познакомилась с Зарифой на октябрьском митинге. «Она была членом ИКНЕ, а я, так сказать, из простого народа. Но общий язык мы нашли очень быстро. С Зарифой по-другому и быть не может». Позже Аза уехала в Питер. Прилетела назад первым же рейсом, как только узнала о драматически развивающихся событиях в марте. Но все уже закончилось. А вскоре начались аресты.

«Помню, как только мы сделали первую передачку, один человек по секрету сказал, что мне стоит срочно уезжать. So far, this is possible. Мол, скоро и за тобой придут. К тому времени уже много активных людей уехало из республики и даже из страны. Но я рассудила так: один раз живем. Раз уже начали тянуть — надо продолжать. Арестуют так арестуют. И вот уже полгода работаем — и ничего. Возможно, в свое время такую информацию специально вкинули, чтобы “Неотложка” перестала существовать».

Передачки делаются регулярно, три раза в месяц. Общий месячный бюджет — около 240 тысяч рублей. Аза рассказывает, что поначалу деньги собирались исключительно анонимными переводами. Но сейчас есть семьи, которые открыто и довольно щедро поддерживают деятельность волонтеров. Периодически для этого они устраивают аукционы. Продают, например, молельный коврик ручной работы, какую-нибудь книгу раритетную или картину. В последнее время к сборам подключился и совет тейпов. «Каждый тейп собирает деньги, и потом их передают нам. Реально получается поддержка от всего народа».

Зарифа Саутиева Фото: из личного архива

Продукты закупают оптом и расфасовывают по пакетам. Это копченое мясо, колбаса, рыба, сыр, кофе, овощи и фрукты, вермишель и пюре быстрого приготовления. Но главная и обязательная составная часть каждого пакета — курдюк. Как минимум полкило. Аза рассказывает, что в каждой камере есть кипятильники, так что можно придать банальным блюдам особенный вкус, знакомый с детства: «Например, закидываешь в чашку “Роллтон”, добавляешь зелени и тонкие кусочки курдюка, варишь несколько минут — и вот уже готов замечательный суп. Almost like at home. Важно, чтобы хоть в чем-то было это ощущение».

Ближе к ночи я добирался на такси из Назрани до Владикавказа. Водитель — молодой парень. Полдороги ехали молча. А потом я спросил у него про Зарифу Саутиеву. Мол, знакомо ли ему это имя? Оставшиеся полдороги говорил только он. «Она за всех нас сидит. Чтобы нам было неповадно. Чтобы не выходили на улицы, чтобы не протестовали. Понятно, что из нас хотят сделать рабов».

Editor - Inna Kravchenko

«Такие дела» благодарят правозащитную организацию «Мемориал» за помощь в подготовке материала.