Human rights lawyer Ms Sapiyat Magomedova was severely beaten at Khasavyurt police station in Dagestan on 17 June 2010. Sapiyat Magomedova is a lawyer at Omarov and Partners, a law firm known for its strident defence of human rights.

Further Information

Omarov and Partners frequently takes on cases relating to abductions, torture and extrajudicial executions in Dagestan. Sapiyat Magomedova has sent four applications to the European Court of Human Rights about violations of her clients' rights by detectives from the Khasavyurt prosecutor’s office.

According to Adilgerey Omarov, chairman of the Omarov and Partners, at around 4 pm on 17 June 2010 Sapiyat Magomedova passed through the security checkpoint of the Khasavyurt police station, having shown the necessary documentation. She approached detective Zakir Stamulov and requested permission to see her client, Ms Malika Evtomirova, who had been arrested that day. Sapiyat Magomedova, who had worked with Malika Evtomirova before, had special authorisation to privately meet with her client before she was interrogated. Detective Zakir Stamulov, however, refused to grant Sapiyat Magomedova access to her client and summoned police officers to remove her from the building. Four police officers from a special intervention unit arrived and proceeded to punch and kick Sapiyat Magomedova. It is reported that on the orders of the commanding officer, Shamil Temigereev, Sapiyat Magomedova was dragged through the building and thrown out, unconscious, at the security checkpoint. Police officers allegedly stole a gold chain from Sapiyat Magomedova and smashed her mobile phone. She was taken to Kasavyurt City Hospital where she remained unconscious for a number of hours. It is reported that a court medical expert refused to issue a medical report on her condition.

According to Front Line's sources, Sapiyat Magomedova has previously been threatened by detectives from the Khasavyurt prosecutor's office investigative committee.

Front Line believes that the assault of Sapiyat Magomedeva was a direct result of her legitimate work in defence of human rights.

Front Line urges the authorities in the Russian Federation to:

1.Carry out an immediate, thorough, and impartial investigation into the assault of Sapiyat Magomedova, with a view to identifying those responsible and bringing them to justice in accordance with international standards;

2.Take measures to guarantee the physical and psychological integrity of Sapityat Magomedova;

3.Guarantee in all circumstances that human rights defenders in the Russian Federation are free to carry out their legitimate and peaceful human rights activities without fear of reprisals and free of all restrictions, including judicial harassment.