29 June 2004, 17:57
Ten refugees still kept in custody
At least ten out of thirty-six men that had undergone detention in the Altievo refugee camp continued, as of June 28, to be kept in custody. Thus, the information that all detainees had been released which was made public with a reference to an officer of the Memorial Human Rights Center in Nazran does not meet reality.
The detainees say the methods applied to them included the use of force. Officers of law enforcement / security agencies trod on and beat with handcuffs on their hands demanding that they confess to having taken part in the armed attack on the night of June 21. After a strike on the foot with a sledge-hammer, such a confession was forced from one of the detainees. Those released are concerned about the destiny of four of the remaining detainees, the brothers Makhaev - Khizir and Aslambek, and the brothers Khasimikov - Abu-Bakar and Salamu. Eyewitnesses say they were detached from all other detainees. Salamu Khasimikov who has tuberculosis was handcuffed to a battery and beaten heavily; when he lost consciousness, he started throat-bleeding. Those released are afraid for his life. They also say they understood from what the police officers guarding them said that those four might really be charged with assisting the gunmen. However, there is no knowing whether it was about confessions given under torture or there is really serious evidence against them.
Source: Society for Russian-Chechen Friendship
