Persoverzicht Tsjetsjenië - april 2018

• 2018-05-08
• Democratie & mensenrechten Europa in de wereld

2 april 2018

Co-owners of Summa Group detained on suspicion of organizing criminal community and fraud: A Moscow court has sanctioned the arrest of the co-owners of the Summa Group, billionaire businessman Ziyavudin Magomedov and his brother Magomed Magomedov, and their business partner Artur Maksidov on suspicion of organizing a criminal community and fraud. Some sources, contacted by RBK daily, claim that one of the reasons behind the arrest of the Magomedov brothers could be their reluctance to participate in an ongoing anti-corruption operation in Dagestan. In the view of some experts, the arrest could weaken the positions of PM Medvedev and Deputy PM Dvorkovich ahead of the upcoming formation of Russia's new government. Expert Leonid Davydov, cited by RBK daily, suggests that the fact that the court rejected a request to release the suspects on an unprecedented bail of 2.5 billion roubles could indicate that the case is not economic. RBK daily also mentions that investigator Nikolai Budilo, who is investigating the case against the owners of the Summa Group, is included in the 'Magnitsky list'. (Gazeta.ru, Kommersant, RBK, Vedomosti; see also economic headlines)

3 april 2018

Caspian Flotilla will be redeployed to Dagestan: Russian Defense Minister Shoigu announced that the decision had been taken to move the base of the Caspian Flotilla from Astrakhan to Kaspiysk (Dagestan). Vedomosti recalls that in 2015, the Caspian Flotilla warships launched cruise missiles against targets in Syria. (ii) Izvestia reports on the operation of Russia's Nebo-M anti-missile radar facility systems in Crimea. (MK, RBK, RG, Vedomosti; Izvestia)

17 april 2018

Rating of most mentioned officials in Russian media: Ahead of the formation of Russia's new government, Medialogia named PM Medvedev, Moscow mayor Sobyanin, Foreign Minister Lavrov, Defense Minister Shoigu and Chechen head Kadyrov among the most frequently mentioned Russian officials in the country's media. (Kommersant)

26 april 2018

Chechen rights activist Titiev's case:  Titiev's lawyers say the investigation is almost completed. Yesterday the court in Grozny extended his arrest for one month. Meanwhile Titiev appeal that the drugs were planted by security agencies during his arrest, will be examined by the Presidential council on Human Rights. Titiev was arrested on 9 January during an anti-drug crackdown in Chechnya. He is known for speaking out against the government’s anti-drug laws and internment of gay men in detainment camps. Titiev assumed leadership of Memorial after the 2009 abduction and assassination of its then-leader, Natalia Estemirova. (Kommersant)