Accessibility links

Breaking News

Chechen Authorities Say Charge Against Amriyev Dropped


Murad Amriyev (file photo)
Murad Amriyev (file photo)

Authorities in Russia's Chechnya region say they have dropped charges against a man who was handed over by Belarus, despite warnings that he could be tortured or killed in Chechnya.

Law enforcement officials in Chechnya said on June 15 that charges against Murad Amriyev were dropped the previous day.

Amriyev, a former mixed-martial-arts champion from Chechnya who says he was tortured by police there in 2013, had fled to Belarus on June 7 after evading Chechen police who were trying to take him into custody.

On June 9, Belarusian authorities handed Amriyev over to the Russian authorities, who then transferred him to Chechnya.

Chechen authorities said they wanted to question Amriyev about allegations that he intentionally used a false passport.

Rights defenders have decried his transfer to Chechnya, saying he might face torture or even death there.

The United States on June 9 expressed concerns about Amriyev's "safety and well-being" after Belarus returned him to Russia.

On June 10, Chechen authorities released Amriyev but ordered him not to leave the Chechen capital, Grozny, while investigations into his case were under way.

With reporting by TASS and Interfax
  • 16x9 Image

    RFE/RL

    RFE/RL journalists report the news in 27 languages in 23 countries where a free press is banned by the government or not fully established. We provide what many people cannot get locally: uncensored news, responsible discussion, and open debate.

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.

To find out more, click here.

XS
SM
MD
LG