Islam Gugov rejects charge of involvement in "Imarat Kavkaz"*

On May 25, the North-Caucasian District Military Court proceeded to consider the second case against Islam Gugov, accused of involvement in illegal armed formations (IAFs).

At the third trial, Islam Gugov faced the charge of a different version. This time, investigators found that Islam Gugov was involved in the activities of a terrorist organization and was taking special training for that.

At the trial opened in Rostov-on-Don, prosecutor stated that Islam Gugov was trained in Syria in militant camps of the illegal armed formation "Jaysh Al-Mukhajirin Wal-Ansar" and the terrorist organization "Imarat Kavkaz"*.

Islam Gugov himself categorically rejected the charge of the crimes incriminated. "I plead not guilty... The criminal case was instituted for revenge. I... was told that they would open a criminal case if I refuse to give false testimony against a certain Sultanov... I refused to testify and they instituted a criminal case," the defendant stated.

*The organization has been recognized as terrorist and banned in Russia by the court.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.