Wife of Chechen Alkhanov calls case of preparing terror act unexpected

The new criminal case against Magomed Alkhanov, a convicted native of Chechnya, came as a surprise to his wife. The appellate court has upheld the Alkhanov's sentence in the case of the attack on the Pskov paratroopers.

On January 20, the Rostov Regional Branch of the FSB (Russian Federal Security Service) reported that a case had been opened against five people accused of taking hostages at the Rostov SIZO (pre-trial prison), including the above Alkhanov, on preparing a terror act in Ingushetia, preparing to participate in an armed grouping, and taking part in a terrorist organization.

Rashan Alkhanova, Magomed’s wife, has denied his possible involvement in the escape and hostage-taking at the SIZO. According to her story, this version contradicts the factual circumstances.

"Alkhanov, like his two cellmates, didn’t leave the cell ... This can be confirmed by SIZO staff," Ms Alkhanova asserts.

The wife believes that the Alkhanov’s earlier escape from a mental hospital, for which he has already been sentenced, could have become the reason for the new prosecution.

"I think that my husband could have shared his life story with his cellmates, part of which was his escape from custody in 2021. This could form the basis of the case in which he is treated as ‘an escape instigator’," she has stated.