Human rights activists from Russia have asked Yerevan to complete its investigation into Baimuradova's case.

The murder of Chechen native Ayshat Baimuradova in Yerevan must be thoroughly investigated under Armenian jurisdiction, without interference from Russian and Chechen authorities, human rights activists said.

As "Caucasian Knot" reported, law enforcement agencies must immediately investigate the circumstances of the death of Chechen native Ayshat Baimuradova in Yerevan and provide a clear legal assessment of this case as an example of gender-based violence, members of the "Coalition against Violence against Women" in Armenia stated on October 23. The Chechen Human Rights Commissioner blamed human rights activists for Baimuradova's death and published voicemails, which, according to him, confirm the girl's conflict with those who helped her leave. Commentators called his version absurd, suggesting the audio was falsified.

20 Russian human rights activists and organizations have appealed to the Armenian authorities to ensure a transparent and effective investigation into the murder of Aishat Baimuradova and to take measures to bring those responsible to justice. The letter was sent to the offices of the President and Prime Minister of Armenia, the country's parliament, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Security Service, the Investigative Committee, the Ministry of Justice, and the Human Rights Ombudsman, the Crisis Group SK SOS (listed as a foreign agent by the Russian Ministry of Justice) reported today.

Human rights activists, in particular, call for an investigation into whether Aishat Baimuradova's case constitutes "an example of transnational repression"—she received threats after leaving Russia, like many others forced to flee Chechnya and the Russian Federation.

The authors of the letter called on the Armenian authorities to identify and expose the perpetrators of the murder and their motives, as well as the accomplices, organizers, and possible masterminds of the crime. They ask that international warrants and extradition requests be used to punish the perpetrators, who are likely located outside of Armenia.

"It is especially important to maintain the investigation within Armenia's jurisdiction and not transfer it to third countries in order to ensure its independence and prevent interference and pressure from Russian or Chechen authorities," the publication emphasizes.

Human rights activists also emphasized that Baimuradova's case and the investigation's results are "crucial to protecting Armenia's reputation." Law enforcement agencies must inform the public about the investigation to avoid misinformation and protect vulnerable people, including political dissidents and women fleeing violence, the letter notes.

The murder of Aishat Baimuradova in Yerevan has seriously impacted the psychological well-being of young women from Chechnya who, like her, fled the republic after prolonged domestic violence, the human rights group Marem reported on October 24. The activists organized an urgent fundraising campaign to cover consultations with psychologists for the defendants.

“The girls who are feeling the worst right now are girls like Aishat. Those who also fled far from home—some recently, some several years ago. These girls are very brave, but they live with anxiety every day. After Aishat's death, anxiety turns to fear. A wild fear that they will find you too. (...) Now, after Aishat's death, some of them are in a state of acute crisis and anxiety, and they need urgent psychological help,” the group's Telegram channel post reads.

Women whose behavior their relatives consider a disgrace to their family may become victims of "honor killings" in the Caucasus. These murders are committed by relatives themselves, most often a father or brother, according to the "Caucasian Knot" report "Honor Killings" in the North Caucasus". The problem of domestic violence in Chechnya, Ingushetia, and Dagestan affects women of all ages, but it is mainly young women under 30 who try to escape it, human rights activists from the Ad Rem team noted in 2023. The problem of evacuating victims of domestic violence is most acute in these regions, since the authorities and security forces there take the side of family aggressors. For victims of domestic violence, escape often becomes the only chance to save their lives.

"Caucasian Knot" also wrote about Chechen native Seda Suleimanova, who was detained in St. Petersburg in August 2023 and taken against her will to relatives in Chechnya. There have been no reports from the girl since then. Her friends and human rights activists believe she was the victim of a so-called "honor killing" and are demanding an investigation. On June 16, it was reported that Suleimanova had been placed on a wanted list, but human rights activists considered the search to be a sham, according to the Caucasian Knot report "The Abduction of Seda Suleimanova."