Trial of Chechens Postponed for November 18

Trial of Chechens Postponed for November 18

Tbilisi.11.11.04.Media News. The trial of five Chechen prisoners which was to be held in the Supreme Court on Thursday has been postponed till November 18. Non-attendance of the prosecution served as the reason for the postponement.

NGO – “Article 42 of the Constitution”, which defends the rights of the Chechens is appealing the verdict of Tbilisi Regional Court. According to the verdict all the five defendants have been sentenced to 4 years of imprisonment.

Khanchukaev, Chagamedov, Isaev, Kushtanashvili and Aliev were detained by Georgian law enforcers in June, 2002 and were charged with illegal crossing of the border and illegally transporting weapons into the country. Later, when their extradition to Russia was being prepared Khanchukaev, Chagamedov, Isaev, Kushtanashvili and Aliev are said to have resisted the prison administration for which they have been sentenced to 4 years of imprisonment. 

At this stage the defendants are not charged with illegal crossing of the border and transporting weapons any more. “Article 42 of the Constitution” demands the release of all the above-mentioned defendants.