Zarema Musayeva Refuses to Appeal After Being Sentenced

Zarema Musayeva has declined to appeal her new prison sentence, citing a lack of faith in the justice system, Orda.kz reports, citing The Caucausian Knot.

She is expected to serve nearly four more years in a penal colony in Chechnya, where she fears for her safety.

Musayeva, the wife of ex-federal judge Saidi Yangulbaev and mother to outspoken Chechen opposition activists, was convicted of "disrupting operations" in a penal colony after allegedly slapping an officer and tearing his epaulet while returning from medical treatment.

Her defense says the accusation is based solely on the officer’s testimony and lacks witness support.

The Shali court sentenced her to 3 years and 11 months. This follows her previous conviction in 2023 for allegedly attacking a police officer — an earlier sentence that had been reduced from 5.5 to 4 years and 9 months.

That term ended in March 2025, but the new case began just months prior.

According to the Committee Against Torture, Musayeva waived her right to appeal because she believes "judicial oversight is ineffective."

She also believes the conditions in pre-trial detention are too harsh, given her poor health. Diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and other complications, Musayeva has reported fainting, bleeding, and loss of sensation in her feet.

Her lawyers say she fears returning to Penal Colony No. 3, where the officer she allegedly assaulted still works.

Despite this, the decision on where she will serve time lies with the Chechen branch of the Federal Penitentiary Service (FSIN). Legal experts say only a proven threat to her life might justify a transfer to another facility — but courts are unlikely to accept that argument, as it would imply FSIN staff pose a danger to inmates.

Musayeva was abducted by Chechen law enforcement from her apartment in Nizhny Novgorod in January 2022. Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov later accused the Yangulbaev family of terrorism, saying their place is "either in prison or underground."