06 June 2005, 03:01
Ingushetia victimised
The number of civilians abducted by officers of the North Caucasus Department of the Federal Security Service (FSB) is on the rise in Ingushetia. The rise in abductions links to the investigation into the Beslan tragedy, Novaya Gazeta newspaper says.
People are abducted throughout the republic and brought to Vladikavkaz, North Ossetia. Confessions of being involved in the Beslan attack are beaten out of those abducted in the Vladikavkaz prosecutor's office.
Adam Gorchkhanov, a detainee, died of beating on 30 May, says NEWSru.com.
Officers of the FSB North Caucasus Department took him from his home in Nazran at 5.30 am on 23 May. After a long search, the Gorchkhanovs found Adam by chance in the pre-trial detention centre of the FSB North Ossetian Department on 26 May.
On 28 May, Adam Gorchkhanov fell from the fourth floor of the strictly guarded building of the North Ossetian prosecutor's office during an interrogation, according to investigators. Meanwhile, there is no longer anyone who could confirm or deny the official version: Adam died unconscious in the Vladikavkaz republican hospital on 30 May. Those who washed his body before burial say it bore multiple marks of torture.
In an open letter to FSB Director Nikolai Patrushev written one day before Adam's death, his parents asked for interference in the situation saying their son fell victim to a false report. The Gorchkhanovs accused FSB officers of total "home pogroms" and beating: "So many such truly barbarian deeds have lately been performed by officers of your service in Ingushetia that women and children tremble when they see or hear the abbreviation FSB."
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