Nukhazhiev demands investigation of "Vostok" battalion crimes in Chechnya

Ombudsman in Chechnya Nurdi Nukhazhiev has demanded, in the context of death in the Kurchaloy District of Askhab Zakriev, 17, that the Military Prosecutor's Office finish the investigation of all the crimes committed by Sulim Yamadaev, commander of the "Vostok" (East) battalion and his fighters.

Besides, Nurdi Nukhazhiev has demanded, on behalf of the human rights community of the Republic, to relocate the battalion from the dwelling district, where it is deployed now, outside the city of Gudermes. This is the topic of the Chechen Ombudsman's statement that arrived to the "Caucasian Knot".

In Mr Nukhazhiev's opinion, the Military Prosecutor's Office bears moral responsibility for Askhab Zakriev's death. "The tragic death of the young man in Gudermes has reconfirmed that impunity gives birth to new crimes. The permissiveness, lack of military discipline, ignoring any rules of storing and using firearms in the 'Vostok' battalion contributed to this crime," said the Ombudsman.

In the evening on August 31 in the Kurchaloy District of Chechnya, a 17-year-old boy was killed and several more received various wounds as a result of chaotic shooting from large-calibre arms opened by militaries of "Vostok" special battalion deployed in the suburb of Gudermes.

The "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was told by an employee of the Republic's law enforcement bodies, several young guys, residents of Druzhba district, who were coming home from their evening prayer in the mosque, got under the fire of special fighters who were shooting in direction of Gudermes.