Defenders and prosecutors debate about politicization of Oyub Titiev's case

Today, during a court hearing, public prosecutor has stated that the defence of rights defender Oyub Titiev tries to politicize his case and unreasonably declares the authorities' pressure on Chechen judges. The defence reminded the court of the negative statements voiced by the leader of Chechnya against Oyub Titiev. 

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that today, the Supreme Court (SC) of Chechnya has begun to consider a motion filed by the defence of Oyub Titiev to change the territorial jurisdiction of his case. 

Advocates Pyotr Zaikin and Marina Dubrovina suggested transferring the case to the Moscow District Court or to the Moscow Gagarinsky Court and mentioned the statements of the Chechen leader, in which he spoke negatively about Oyub Titiev. 

In her turn, public prosecutor Milana Baitaeva has noted that there are no factual and legal grounds to change the jurisdiction of the Oyub Titiev's case. 

The public prosecutor has also noted that the defence of Oyub Titiev tries to politicize the case and unreasonably declares the authorities' pressure on Chechen judges. 

The advocates have stated that the defence, relatives, and friends of Oyub Titiev did not and do not make any attempts to politicize the case. The defenders have urged the court to examine the record of the Ramzan Kadyrov's speech, in which he negatively spoke of Oyub Titiev. According to Pyotr Zaikin, given the influence of the Chechen leader, such statements can formulate a negative opinion about the defendant. 

Pyotr Zaikin has filed a motion to the court to examine the record of the Ramzan Kadyrov's speech. However, the judge dismissed the defence motion.