10:50, 3 October 2018

Russia finds Imam Velitov's complaint to the ECtHR unjustified

Imam Makhmud Velitov. Photo by the press service of Radio Liberty RFE/RL

The Russia's representative at the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) responded to the court's request on the complaint of Imam Makhmud Velitov and asked the court to reject it.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the ECtHR has accepted the complaint of Imam Makhmud Velitov, who claimed a violation in his relation of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), namely, of three articles thereof: the right to a fair court (Article 6), the freedom of religion (Article 9) and the freedom of self-expression (Article 10).

Russia has responded to the Imam's complaint and responded to the ECtHR's request on this case, stating that the complaint was unjustified.

"The very fact of communication on these three articles says that the complaint is in line with the ECHR and the regulations of the ECtHR," said Dagir Khasavov, an advocate.

Let us remind you that in April 2017, Imam Velitov was sentenced to three years in prison for his preaching about the murdered Dagestani religious leader Abdullah Gappaev; the court treated his sermon as justification of terrorism. The Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial" announced Imam Velitov to be a political prisoner.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on October 3, 2018 at 02:53 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.

Author: Alyona Sadovskaya

Source: CK correspondent