Kheda Saratova: Caucasian region is unsafe both for tourists and local residents

Tragic incidents in Kabardino-Balkaria will continue. This was stated today at the Independent Press Centre in Moscow in the course of a press conference held by the Ingush oppositionist Magomed Khazbiev, Chechen human rights defender Kheda Saratova and political scientist Geidar Dzhemal on the topic "Tension in Ingushetia as Result of Authorities' Blunders".

Let us remind you that the press conference had been scheduled for February 16, but due to Magomed Khazbiev's illness it was reappointed on February 21.

Despite the fact that the main topic of the press conference was the situation in Ingushetia, initially all the participants made comments of the recent incidents in the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic (KBR) - the execution of tourists and blowing up of the ropeway.

As reported earlier, in the evening on February 18, in an attack on a minivan with tourists from Moscow committed in the KBR three persons were shot dead.

The ropeway explosion happened at night on February 19 on Mount Elbrus. At an altitude of 3470 meters unidentified persons blew up a movable roller on the 11th support of the second route (there are three routes in all) of the ropeway. No injuries were reported.

In the opinion of Kheda Saratova, this is not the last incident and not the last tragedy, because the region is dangerous both for tourists and local residents.

Mr Dzhemal believes that the authorities may deliberately arrange provocations in the traditional resort areas of Northern Caucasus, so that the 2014 Sochi Olympiad has been moved to some other location, because "the money has been already embezzled by corrupt bureaucrats."

As to the situation in Ingushetia, Ms Saratova said that in her opinion President Yunus-Bek Evkurov is doing everything he can for his republic's security.

Geidar Dzhemal has expressed his admiration for his colleagues who came to speak at the Independent Media Centre. "They're honest about what is happening in their regions, despite the fact that it could threaten their lives," he said.

He did not rule out that federal authorities could stand behind the recent Khazbiev's poisoning. Mr Khazbiev himself has drawn attention to recent abductions in Ingushetia and placed particular emphasis on the case of Zalina Elkharoeva, who had been abducted two months ago without any traces.

He noted, in his turn, that he had not worked with Evkurov, since the latter failed to meet people's expectations. He had proposed to dissolve the parliament; but Evkurov was satisfied with this parliament and surrounding corrupt officials. After that, both Khazbiev and subsequently assassinated Maksharip Aushev refused to work with the incumbent President of Ingushetia.