Oyub Titiev expresses his concern over disappearance of his traumatic pistol

Defence witnesses spoke at the trial in the case against Oyub Titiev, the head of the Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial" office in Grozny. According to the defendant, many people want to give testimonies, which are important for complaints in higher courts. Oyub Titiev does not doubt the court will pronounce a verdict of guilty.

The rights defender also spoke about the loss of property after his arrest. He expressed his particular concern over the disappearance of a traumatic pistol, which could be used for criminal purposes.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on October 16, witnesses Elena Burtina and Lyudmila Gendel reported that Oyub Titiev helped to restore schools and was a coordinator of the project to help prisoners from Chechnya and Ingushetia.

All 11 defence witnesses described Oyub Titiev only on the positive side and stated no one believed that he could use drugs.

Elena Burtina, a member of the "Civil Assistance" Committee, has said that Oyub Titiev will be considered a national hero in Chechnya.

Akhmet Barakhoev, a colleague of Oyub Titiev from the Ingush office of the HRC "Memorial", associated an attack on the Nazran office with the Oyub Titiev's case.

Oyub Titiev said that after his detention, his bag with belongings was brought to the police, and there was also a traumatic pistol and relevant permission inside the bag. The rights defender expressed his concern over the subsequent disappearance of the traumatic pistol.

"Dishonest people can use the pistol ... for criminal purposes, and I'll be responsible for that," said Oyub Titiev.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on October 17, 2018 at 02:35 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.