Colleagues of Dagestani journalist Gadjiev stand up in defence of media freedom

The Makhachkala picketers have pointed to absence of journalists' protection against criminal prosecution and demanded to release political prisoners. The consideration of Abdulmumin Gadjiev's case will last until the end of 2021, the advocate has predicted.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that every week pickets are held in Makhachkala in support of Abdulmumin Gadjiev, a journalist of the "Chernovik" (Draft) weekly.

On Monday (August 23), the first solo picket was held by Magdi Kamalov, the founder of the "Chernovik". Nowadays, no journalist is protected from being charged with a crime that could lead to prolonged imprisonment, he has stated.

A search in the editorial office of the "Chernovik" conducted after Gadjiev's arrest indicates an attempt to put pressure on the edition, Mr Kamalov has stated. According to his story, law enforcers failed to return the property, seized during the search.

The second picket with a call to stop arrests without proofs was held by a female activist from Derbent. The third one with a demand of the media freedom was held by Murad Muradov, a journalist.

The fourth picket with a demand of freedom for political prisoners was held by Idris Yusupov, a journalist for the Dagestan weekly "Novoye Delo" (New Cause).

Gadjiev's colleagues have no hope for a fair verdict to him. They fear the closure of the "Chernovik" after the trial, the "Novaya Gazeta" has found out. Residents of Dagestan are afraid to go out to actions in Gadjiev's support, but his support in social networks is growing, Gadjiev's wife has stated.