Sapiyat Magomedova

Sapiyat Akhmedovna Magomedova (; born 11 February 1979), sometimes spelled Sapijat Magomedova, is a Russian human rights activist and lawyer from Dagestan. A noted local lawyer in human rights abuses cases, she has presented cases before local courts and national courts, as well as at the European Court of Human Rights. She has experienced harassment, intimidation and threats due to her activism, and in recognition of her work was awarded the Homo Homini in 2013.

Early life and education Magomedova was born in the village of Artlukh, Kazbekovsky District, in what was then the Dagestan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic. She grew up in Khasavyurt, a city close to the border with Chechnya, and reported regularly seeing violence against civilians perpetrated by security forces. In 2001, she graduated with a degree in law from Dagestan State University in Makhachkala.

Legal career Magomedova works for Omarov A.S. and Sons, a law firm in Khasavyurt known for taking on cases of human rights abuses, including enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings and torture contrary to the Russian constitution and international law. Magomedova also has taken on cases pertaining to sexual violence, which has been described as remaining "taboo" in Dagestan, where bride kidnappings and child marriages still occur. In October 2010, Magomedova filed a counter case questioning the legality of the restriction order, which was subsequently lifted.

Recognition In 2012, Magomedova was awarded the Per Anger Prize for human rights defenders for "her brave and risky work as a lawyer and fearless human rights defender in a violent and hostile environment".

In 2013, Magomedova was awarded the Homo Homini Prize for "her courage in the defence of victims of human rights violations".