08 September 2003, 19:12
People of Khambi-Irze village demand to put end to night raids of military forces
People from the village of Khambi-Irze (Lermontovo) in the Achkhoy-Martan district rallied on the Rostov-Baku road on September 5 demanding to put an end to the night raids of various military and police forces, which result in civilian "disappearances".
The protest was triggered by the recent arrest of a fellow villager, 18-year old Iriskhan Edelkhanov, by unknown assailants at his home Wednesday night. It was impossible to determine who led him away, stated villagers, because the men wore masks and the license plates on their armored vehicles were covered with mud.
Since that night no one has seen Iriskhan; and his relatives have repeatedly tried to discover his whereabouts, but to no avail.
Over a hundred people took part in the rally. At one point they walked onto the road blocking traffic. Because they refused to let a group of Russian soldiers go by, the soldiers fired at the tires of three civilian cars that were blocking them. The protesters claimed the soldiers were prepared to open fire at them so they decided to rally at the roadside instead.
The protestors wanted the district authorities to take drastic steps to avert such incidents and to find the abducted young man. However, if the authorities continue ignoring their pleas, they will stage an unlimited protest.
Author: Ruslan Isayev Source: Prague Watchdog
