On April 13, the Presnensky Court of Moscow arrested lawyer Timur Idalov for two months for allegedly threatening the prosecutor with violence. The arrested person stated that the charges were fabricated by the investigation at the direction of the FSB.
Timur Idalov was detained in Moscow on April 12. The press service of the capital's investigative department reported that “a criminal case is being investigated against the lawyer on the grounds of a crime under Part 1 of Art. 318 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (“Threat of using violence against a representative of the authorities”). According to the investigation, on October 3 last year, a lawyer, while in the hall of one of the Moscow courts, “defiantly and defiantly loudly, without hiding his disrespect for the court and the participants in the trial, expressed threats of violence against the public prosecutor.”
A search was carried out in the detainee's apartment. There were media reports that Idalov was found with weapons and that he was accused of having connections with international terrorist groups and justifying terrorism. This information has not been confirmed.
On April 13, about 30 lawyer colleagues gathered in the Presnensky court to select a preventive measure, ready to support him legally and even pay bail for him. Nevertheless, the court decided to arrest Idalov until June 10. His lawyer, Murad Musaev, noted that some media published the judge’s decision half an hour before it was announced, that is, the trial was a fiction with a predetermined outcome.
As for the accusation, the reason for it was a phrase from an altercation with prosecutor Tarasova in court 7 months ago. “Me too, Commissioner Katani. So they shot him!” - Idalov said in response to her caustic remark (“They misfired in the military court and they will misfire here”). This phrase was considered a hidden threat.
According to the defense, it was no coincidence that Tarasova remembered this “threat” 7 months later. “This is bullshit,” Murad Musaev described the accusation.
Timur Idalov stated that the victim knowingly gave false testimony against him and it was no coincidence that she remembered the “threat” six months later. According to him, the case against him was fabricated and the entire fabrication process was supervised by an FSB officer, who is involved in several cases of his clients.
Among his clients is Alikhan Belkhoroev, who is accused in a high-profile case of the murder of the head of the Center for Countering Extremism of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ingushetia, Ibragim Eldzharkiev. Previously, he represented the interests of Murat Kadyrov, convicted in the case of Khabarovsk ex-governor Sergei Furgal. In 2018, Idalov defended a native of Kabardino-Balkaria, Albert Begidov, accused of attacking a colony employee in Omutninsk, Kirov Region.
Timur Idalov is a native of Chechnya, a former policeman. Before becoming a lawyer, he was convicted as the leader of a criminal group that allegedly kidnapped Armenian citizen Serge Jilavyan in 1999. The second time Idalov was prosecuted for drug charges. In 2012, the ECHR awarded him compensation on complaints of unfair trial and torture. According to colleagues, Timur Idalov is a “real lawyer” who “defends his clients with passion,” regardless of their nationality, position or religious affiliation.