On 1 November 2013 judge of the Supreme Court of the Chechen Republic Vakhid Abubakarov disqualified himself from a trial. As it is explained in his decision on self-disqualification, it was done on the grounds that during his examination of the case the judge felt pressure on the part of a person identifying himself as the Minister of the Interior for the Chechen Republic, general-lieutenant Alkhanov Ruslan Shakhaevich. The Presidential Council for Civil Society and Human Rights is concerned about the situation and expresses hope that the competent law enforcement authorities will carry out a thorough investigation into  judge of the Supreme Court of the Chechen Republic Vakhid Abubakarov’s allegations and will provide a proper assessment. The Council is determined to monitor the situation closely.

Source: Council official website