Address to the Government about Persecution of North Caucasus People in Georgia

Nongovernmental organizations Human Rights Center and Former Political Prisoners for Human Rights are concerned about persecution and disappearance of North Caucasus people in Georgia.

Persecution of people, who hold Georgian citizenship and refugee status, is particularly alarming, because fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution of Georgia and international/national law are breached.

Georgian citizen Saikhan Musaev tried to leave Georgia to travel to England for education three times but border officers did not allow him to cross border. Though, Article 22 of the Constitution of Georgia guarantees free movement, including traveling to another country, for Georgian citizen. MIA refuses to clarify legal and factual grounds of the restriction. It is alarming that MIA did not comment on the fact even after the Public Defender of Georgia addressed to the Ministry for clarifications.

Short time ago, relatives found Dagestanian refugee Magamed Magamedov in the Russian prison, who had disappeared in Georgia a year ago in an obscure circumstances. Refugee status internationally guarantees security of the person and when refugee is found in the country, where he faces some threats, it proves that Georgian state failed to implement its obligation. Simultaneously, it should be investigated and estimated whether Magamed Magamedov appeared in Russian prison as a result of informal cooperation between Georgian and Russian special forces.

Ethnic Dagestanian Mikail Kadiev, citizen of Russian federation, was arrested together with his cousin Risvan Omarov on June 13, 2013. Currently, their trial is underway at the Tbilisi City Court. According to the official information spread by the MIA, Mikail Kadiev and Rizvan Omarov intended “to organize terrorist acts in public places.” Although TV-channels actively reported about detention of terrorists, no relevant charge was imposed on Kadiev and Omarov afterwards. They were accused of illegal purchase-possession of armament and ammunition that is punishable by fine or imprisonment from 6 months to 3 years. Furthermore, investigation does not have valid evidence to prove that accused persons really had illegal possessions. It is noteworthy that “terrorist” Kadiev and his guest opened the door of their flat soon after police officers knocked.

After City Court finishes discussion of the case, there is real threat that he will be extradited to Russia, where he will be either liquidated or tortured and inhumanly treated. 

Based on the aforementioned circumstances, we request:

• Ministry of Internal Affairs to give well-grounded clarification to the society about legal motives of restricting right to travel for Georgian citizen Saikhan Muzaev;

• Launch investigation into disappearance of refugee Magamed Magamedov from Georgia and his appearance in Russian prison;

• Government of Georgia shall not extradite Mikail Kadiev and other persons, under threat of liquidation and torture, to Russia.

Human Rights Center

Former Political Prisoners for Human Rights