Pickets in support of Chernovik editor-in-chief disrupted in Makhachkala. Three people detained

Law enforcement officers disrupted a rally in support of Chernovik journalist Abdulmumin Gadzhiev, which was held in Makhachkala. The security forces also detained the deputy editor-in-chief of the publication, Magomed Magomedov. This was reported by Kavkazsky Uzel, citing journalist Idris Yusupov.

Gadzhiev's colleagues planned to hold a picket in his support; they believe that the persecution of the journalist is connected with his professional activities.

The man has been in custody since July 2019. He is accused of participating in the activities of an extremist organization (Part 2 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code), participating in a terrorist organization (Part 2 of Article 205.5 of the Criminal Code) and financing its activities (Part 4 of Article 205.1 of the Criminal Code). According to investigators, eleven people, including a journalist, transferred money through charitable foundations to Dagestani preacher Israil Akhmednabiyev (Abu Umar Sasitlinsky), allegedly associated with ISIS.

Magomedov, who was detained during the picket, was taken to the Sovietsky District Department of Makhachkala. It is not known what exactly he is charged with. As of 14:45, he is still in the police department.

16:30 Magomed Magomedov was released from the police department without a report. This was reported by the Telegram channel "Novoye Delo".

17:13 Police detained Salim Khalitov - he was standing with a poster in support of Chernovik journalist Abdulmumin Gadzhiev at the police station where Magomed Magomedov was detained. This was reported by the Memorial Human Rights Center.

17:45 Salim Khalitov was also released, reports the Memorial Human Rights Center.

November 17 In Makhachkala on November 16, Eduard Atayev was detained and taken to the police station. He was holding a one-man picket in support of Chernovik journalist Abdulmumin Gadzhiev. The activist stood with a poster reading "Interview is not a crime." This was reported by the Chernovik publication. After giving an explanation, Atayev was released.

The headline of the news story was changed after information about the arrest on November 16.

• The Memorial Human Rights Center has recognized Gadzhiev as a political prisoner. According to Chernovik, Gadzhiev's criminal prosecution is based on the testimony of Kemal Tambiev. However, Tambiev himself stated that he gave his testimony under torture and retracted it. Human rights activists remind us that Chernovik often publishes controversial publications that are undesirable to the authorities.