Resolution on the case of Zarema Musaeva in Chechnya

The European Parliament adopted by 502 votes to 13, with 28 abstentions, a resolution on the case of Zarema Musaeva in Chechnya.

The text adopted in plenary was tabled by the EPP, S&D, Renew, Greens/EFA, ECR groups and Members.

In January 2022, under the pretext of requiring her testimony in a criminal case, Zarema Musaeva was unlawfully abducted from elsewhere in Russia and placed in pre-trial detention in Chechnya. After having been denied proper legal defence, she was sentenced to five years in prison on charges of fraud and assaulting the authorities; whereas her health has deteriorated since her detention.

Ms Musaeva is the wife of former Chechen Supreme Court judge Saidi Yangulbaev and mother of human rights defender Abubakar and opposition bloggers Ibrahim and Baysangur Yangulbaev. Her three sons are vocal critics of the Head of the Chechen Republic, Ramzan Kadyrov, and his autocratic rule. Kadyrov has publicly threatened to ‘eliminate’ the Yangulbaev family members. The EU and the United States have placed Kadyrov and his closest associates on the sanctions list for serious human rights violations.

Members strongly condemn the kidnapping and politically motivated detention of Zarema Musaeva and regards these as acts of retaliation for her sons’ legitimate human rights work and political views.

Parliament urged the Chechen authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Ms Musaeva, to provide her with proper medical care and to put an immediate end to all harassment of civil society and the opposition.

Condemning the brutal attacks on and repression of civil society, media and opposition in Chechnya, Parliament urged the authorities to immediately end all forms of harassment. The Chechen government should conduct a transparent and thorough investigation into these attacks and hold those responsible accountable.