Eduard Ataev

Former coordinator of Navalny's headquarters in Makhachkala, previously head of the Dagestan branch of the People's Freedom Party. In January 2023, this branch was liquidated on the suit of the Ministry of Justice. Navalny's supporters have been trying to open a headquarters in Dagestan since February 2021. In April of the same year, Eduard Ataev, the then coordinator of the headquarters, was arrested for 10 days. In fact, the security forces kidnapped the activist, as well as another member of the headquarters Murad Manapov. The latter said that after his arrest he was threatened with torture and demanded a report on the plans of the headquarters. In late March 2022, Atayev was sent to detention on a case of possession of weapons, explosives and drugs. He later reported that he was tortured during his detention: a bag was put over his head, wrapped with duct tape, and then objects similar to a pistol handle and a grenade were forcibly placed in his hands. While in the pre-trial detention centre, Ataev reported violations of his rights: he was not given correspondence. In September 2023, the court briefly suspended the case due to Ataev's allegations of torture during detention. On 22 November 2023, Ataev was sentenced to six years and five months in a general regime colony.