Father of Victoria Budaikhanova denies version of her involvement in ISIL*

A father of Victoria Budaikhanova, a native of Dagestan, who after her return from Syria was accused of involvement in militant groupings, told the court that his daughter left Russia for studies under the influence of her colleagues.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on November 13, 2017, Victoria Budaikhanova, a student of an architectural college, a native of Dagestan, returned to Russia from Syria together with other women. The woman returned to Russia with her daughter, while her second child stayed in Syria with a father. After her return, Victoria Budaikhanova was detained by FSB officers and taken first to Makhachkala and then to Moscow on December 8. The court began to consider her case on June 26. According to investigators, Victoria Budaikhanova provided medical assistance to wounded militants of the terrorist organization IS banned in Russia.

At the today's hearing of the Moscow District Military Court, the father of Victoria Budaikhanova was questioned. He stated that Victoria had never had any contacts with terrorists. She was not a member of the ISIL*, and immediately after leaving for the Middle East she intended to return to Russia. According to Balatkhan Budaikhanov, his daughter succumbed to the influence of her colleagues who encouraged the young woman to go to Syria.

"She voiced only regrets about committing that act [leaving for Syria]," said Balatkhan Budaikhanov.

According to the man, Victoria went to Syria to study the Arabic language and Islam.

* "Islamic State" (IS, earlier, ISIL) is recognized as a terrorist organization and is banned in Russia by the court's decision.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on July 17, 2018 at 11:50 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.