16 October 2018, 11:19
Oleg Kozlovsky leaves Russia after report about his kidnapping in Ingushetia
Oleg Kozlovsky, an activist of the human rights organization "Amnesty International" (AI), who reported his kidnaping and beating in Magas, went abroad together with his family members.
The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on October 15, the AI reported about the kidnapping and beating of Oleg Kozlovsky, who arrived in Magas to monitor the protests held by the opponents of the change in the border with Chechnya. According to the AI, the kidnappers claimed to be law enforcers and subjected Oleg Kozlovsky to a mock execution in an attempt to force him to become their informant. Oleg Kozlovsky said that they threatened to kill his wife and children.
Participants of the protest rally held in the capital of Ingushetia starting from October 4 demand the referendum on the border issue and the resignation of the republic's leader, who signed the agreement with Chechnya.
The rights defender left the country immediately after his visit to Ingushetia, a source from the government of the republic reported.
"On the recommendation of my colleagues, I am now outside the Russian Federation together with my family members, but I hope to return soon and continue working," wrote the rights defender on Facebook.
The Ingush Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) reported it had not found any confirmation of the information about the kidnapping of Oleg Kozlovsky, and Ingush leader Yunus-Bek Evkurov called the message a provocation. However, rights defenders Denis Krivosheev and Igor Kalyapin interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot" believe that the kidnappers acted openly and with the connivance of the authorities.
This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on October 16, 2018 at 05:46 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.
