"Memorial": more kidnappings in Chechnya, more murders in Ingushetia

In January-April 2009, as compared to 2008, the Chechen Republic has registered more kidnappings, while the Republic of Ingushetia - more casualties. This is the data of the Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial".

In total, in January-April 2009, 34 persons were kidnapped (20 of them are residents of Dargo village, Vedeno District of Chechnya). 27 kidnapped persons were later released; two were found murdered; two are still missing; three later "appeared" in IVS or SIZO (transliterated from Russian abbreviations for pre-trial detention facilities).

For comparison: during the whole 2008, the HRC "Memorial" registered 42 kidnapping cases (in January-April 2008 - 7 persons).

Human rights activists believe that the circumstances of these kidnappings are pointing to involvement of state power agencies in these crimes.

At the same time, the number of murders of peaceful residents as registered by employees of the HRC has gone down. This year, we have data about two murders. During the similar period last year, the HRC "Memorial" registered five murders of peaceful residents.

In Ingushetia, the situation with kidnappings is about the last year's level, as human rights activists report. In 2009, three persons were kidnapped here, two were later murdered and one disappeared.

At the same time, the number of murders has sharply went up in this republic: during four months this year, the HRC "Memorial" has registered 59 deaths: 21 peaceful residents (6 persons were killed by unidentified persons; 5 persons were killed by power agents or supposedly by power agents; 2 persons were killed, apparently, by militants; 8 person were blown up at the Department of Court Marshals), 12 employees of local power bodies, 6 attached regular servicemen and militaries, and 20 militants.

For comparison: in January-April 2008, the HRC "Memorial" registered 9 deaths in the territory of Ingushetia: 6 peaceful residents, 3 power agents (9 - by official reports).

Human rights activists emphasize that on every known case they sent inquiries to the Russian State Office of Public Prosecutor and the Prosecutor's Office of the respective region.