Makhachkala: passers-by interested in picket in support of journalist Gadjiev

At his solo picket in Makhachkala, Magomed Magomedov, a deputy editor-in-chief of the "Chernovik" (Draft) weekly, demanded freedom to journalist Abdulmumin Gadjiev. People passing by got interested in Gadjiev's fate; and drivers of the passing cars supported the action with signals, said the picketer.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Gadjiev's colleagues and friends are regularly holding pickets in his support. The picket held on May 10 attracted tourists' attention.

On Monday (May 17), the picket passed under the scrutiny of passers-by and with an approving reaction from passing drivers, Mr Magomedov has noted.

In his opinion, in Northern Caucasus, public figures and activists are more often persecuted by law enforcers than journalists.

In her turn, Gadjiev's relative said that the interest in pickets and the number of participants thereof have decreased. She believes that the legislative bans and other restrictive measures that came into force recently have influenced the number of picket participants.

Djambulat Gasanov, a human rights defender, has also noted an interest decrease in the solo pickets held in support of Gadjiev. "A man in the street is forced to bother of feeding himself. He has been driven into such conditions that he does not have time for reflection," he has noted.

However, the people who had initially been interested in Gadjiev's persecution are still following the development of events around the journalist's case, Mr Gasanov has added.