Siblings Salekh Magamadov and Ismail Isaev were detained in 2020 and held for three months at the Second Regiment of Akhmat-Haji Kadyrov, a military unit in Chechnya loyal to Ramzan Kadyrov, commonly known as the “Kadyrovtsy.” During their detention, they were tortured with electric shocks and beaten for their role in moderating an opposition Telegram channel. They were eventually released, but only on the condition that they cooperate with law enforcement.

After fleeing Chechnya, Salekh and Ismail were later kidnapped from a shelter in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, and forcibly returned to Chechnya. There, a fabricated criminal case was brought against them. In February 2022, Salekh was sentenced to 8 years in prison and Ismail to 6 years, accused of providing food to a militant from an illegal armed group during the summer of 2020. At that time, Chechnya was under strict lockdown measures, allowing only one family member to leave the house twice a week. Police enforced these restrictions with batons. Salekh and Ismail remained indoors, fearful of venturing outside after their months of torture.

Their sentencing is believed to be primarily linked to their political stance, suspicions surrounding their LGBTQ+ identity, and likely their refusal to cooperate with security forces. Their case was riddled with violations: they were tortured, denied access to legal representation, and Chechen authorities repeatedly interfered with the legal process. Additionally, distant relatives of the brothers were kidnapped, and there were attempts to organize “honor killings.” Despite these circumstances, in October 2022, the Cassation Court in Pyatigorsk upheld the sentences.

We were involved in the evacuation of Salekh and Ismail from Chechnya, and after their kidnapping, we participated in their trial. We continue to provide them with legal support.