Eduard Ataev is a political prisoner
An activist from Dagestan has been sentenced to six and a half years in a penal colony on fabricated charges of possessing drugs, firearms, and explosives
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Eduard Ataev a political prisoner. Ataev is an activist convicted on trumped-up charges of illegal possession of drugs, firearms and explosive devices. Ataev’s prosecution and conviction have violated his rights to freedom of expression, assembly and association, and fair trial. We demand the immediate release of Eduard Ataev and that his case be reheard in a fair trial.
Who is Eduard Ataev and what were the charges against him?
Eduard Ataev, 54, a well-known activist from the village of Endirei in Dagestan’s Khasavyurtovsky district, is a former coordinator of the Golos movement and a member of the local election commission. Ataev also headed the local branch of the PARNAS party and established Aleksei Navalny’s regional headquarters.
In 2014, an earlier attempt was made to prosecute Ataev on criminal charges. He was allegedly found in possession of a pistol during a search, but a criminal case was not initiated on account of procedural violations.
On 26 March 2022, Ataev’s home was again searched. The previous day, law enforcement officers had allegedly received a report that Ataev was involved in the sale of drugs. Subsequently, the officers failed to prove Ataev was linked to the sale of drugs, but during the search of his home, they claimed to have found a homemade pistol, a hand grenade, ammunition, and marijuana.
On 27 March, Ataev was remanded in custody on charges of possessing explosives (Article 222.1, Part 1, of the Russian Criminal Code), firearms (Article 222.1, Part 1), and drugs (Article 228, Part 1).
At his trial, Ataev claimed the law enforcement officers had used violence against him. He alleged that, at the time of his detention, a bag was put over his head which was then wrapped with duct tape, and his hands were forcibly placed on objects that he believed to be a pistol handle and a grenade. Ataev also accused the officers of planting firearms and drugs on him during the search.
On 22 November 2023, Ataev was sentenced to six and a half years in a general-regime penal colony.
Why do we consider Ataev a political prisoner?
Ataev’s trial failed to prove his guilt. His prosecution was based solely on the results of the search of his home which was conducted with numerous violations. The investigators did not even try to establish where and when Ataev could have acquired prohibited items or what his motive could have been. Ataev’s DNA, it would seem, appeared on the seized items after his arrest when they were placed in his hands. We have every reason to believe that Ataev’s case was fabricated, and the incriminating items were planted on him.
Ataev’s case is yet another instance of the fabrication of criminal charges to prosecute activists. This practice is particularly widespread in the North Caucasus.
A detailed description of Eduard Ataev’s case and of our position is available on our website.
Recognition of an individual as a political prisoner does not imply the ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project agrees with, or approves, their views, statements, or actions.
How can you help?
You can write to Eduard Ataev at the following address:
In Russian: 368000, Республика Дагестан, г. Хасавюрт, Батаюртовское шоссе 4, ФКУ СИЗО-3 УФСИН России по Республике Дагестан, Атаеву Эдуарду Абдуллаевичу 1970 г. р.
In English: Eduard Abdullaevich Ataev (born 1970), Remand Prison No. 3, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for the Republic of Dagestan, 4 Bataiurtovskoe Shosse, Khasavyurt, Republic of Dagestan, 368000, Russia.
You can send an email via ZT.
Please note that letters in languages other than Russian are highly unlikely to reach the recipient.
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