Dagestani blogger Alibekov rejects charge of intentionally attacking law enforcer

In Kazan, a court extended the arrest of Dagestani native Askhabali Alibekov by three months. The blogger claims that he hit a law enforcer not intentionally, when policemen were twisting his arms.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that according to the investigators’ version, during his detention, Askhabali Alibekov, an author of the “Dikiy Desantnik” (Wild Paratrooper) YouTube channel, hit a policeman in the leg. On March 4, the court arrested Askhabali Alibekov for two months. On June 26, Askhabali Alibekov complained that he was deprived of phone conversations with his relatives. On September 3, it became known that Askhabali Alibekov was put on preventive registration at a SIZO (pre-trial prison) for disseminating extremist ideology.

Advocate Grigory Polikarpov reports that Askhabali Alibekov denies acting intentionally. “He does not deny the fact of causing bodily harm, but insists that there was no direct intent, and <it happened> by accident, as law enforcers were twisting his arms,” the advocate noted.

According to the advocate’s report, Askhabali Alibekov does not know why he was put on preventive registration at the SIZO.

The conditions of detention may be significantly worsened, including a change of a cell, preventive conversations, permanent supervision of the person, and individual transportation.

Advocate Yevgeny Smirnov notes that placement on preventive registration at the SIZO implies stricter conditions of detention, including a change of a cell, preventive conversations, and permanent supervision.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that in March 2023, Askhabali Alibekov was sentenced to one year and two months of imprisonment. The court found that the video posted on the Askhabali Alibekov’s YouTube channel discredited the Russian Armed Forces. In November of the same year, the blogger was released. The prosecutor’s office was not satisfied with the verdict and filed an appeal against it.