Circassian Activist Detained On Suspicion of Possession of Drugs, by Liz Fuller
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Circassian World Newsletter
Jun 11, 2019, 9:58:09 AM6/11/19
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Circassian Activist Detained On Suspicion of Possession of Drugs
By Liz Fuller | Special to Circassian World
Martin Kochesoko, 30, president of the Circassian public organization Khabze, was flagged down by police late on June 7 while driving home after visiting relatives, and taken into custody after a police search of his car revealed a package that purportedly contained narcotics. He is currently being held in solitary confinement in Nalchik and pressured to admit to illegal possession of drugs, according to the Prague-based Caucasus Times.
Both Kochesoko himself and his colleagues believe the drugs were planted in a blatant attempt to discredit him and furnish a pretext for a criminal case that would put an end to his public activities. Khabze co-founder Azamat Shormanov told the news portal Caucasian Knot that he has known Kochesoko for over 10 years and is certain that he does not dabble in drugs. In Chechnya, no fewer than three prominent civic activists have been framed and jailed on fabricated drugs charges in the past five years.
Other Khabze members, including Shormanov, have also come under police scrutiny and/or been summoned for questioning in recent days. The organisation’s office was searched on June 8 and all computers confiscated.
Both Kochesoko himself and his colleagues believe the drugs were planted in a blatant attempt to discredit him and furnish a pretext for a criminal case that would put an end to his public activities. Khabze co-founder Azamat Shormanov told the news portal Caucasian Knot that he has known Kochesoko for over 10 years and is certain that he does not dabble in drugs. In Chechnya, no fewer than three prominent civic activists have been framed and jailed on fabricated drugs charges in the past five years.
Other Khabze members, including Shormanov, have also come under police scrutiny and/or been summoned for questioning in recent days. The organisation’s office was searched on June 8 and all computers confiscated.
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