ECHR Orders Russia to Compensate Mother of Imprisoned Kadyrov Critic

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has made a significant ruling against Russia, ordering the country to pay $56,500 in damages to the jailed mother of a prominent critic of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov.

Zarema Musaeva, the mother of exiled Chechen human rights lawyer and activist Abubakar Yangulbaev, was violently detained in Nizhny Novgorod and forcibly taken to Chechnya in January 2022. She was later sentenced to five years in a prison colony on charges of fraud and assaulting police.

The ECHR determined that Musaeva’s arrest was arbitrary and intended as retaliation against her family, who were involved in human rights work and opposition activities in Chechnya. The court also found that Russian authorities ignored threats from Kadyrov and his allies to harm Musaeva’s family.

In a ruling that highlighted the lack of fair trial guarantees, the ECHR ordered Russia to pay 52,000 euros ($56,500) in damages to Musaeva. Additionally, Musaeva’s husband and daughter were awarded 6,500 euros each for injuries suffered during Musaeva’s detention.

Civil rights activists have criticized Musaeva’s imprisonment as a form of retaliation for the political activities of her sons, who are vocal critics of Kadyrov. The family has faced threats and harassment due to their opposition to the Chechen leader.

Russia’s membership in the European Convention on Human Rights dates back to 1988, but the country was suspended from the Council of Europe following its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Despite this suspension, Russia is still held accountable for violations committed while it was a signatory to the convention.

This ruling by the ECHR serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding human rights and ensuring fair treatment for all individuals, regardless of their political beliefs or affiliations. It also highlights the ongoing challenges faced by activists and critics in countries where dissent is met with repression and retaliation.