22:00, 30 May 2009

Relatives of an opposition leader detained in South Ossetia

Today, one day prior to parliamentary elections in South Ossetia, nephews of businessman Albert Dzhussoev, one of the leaders of South-Ossetian opposition, were detained.

Mr Dzhussoev's nephews - Soslan and Ludwig - were detained in the city of Kvais by Tskhinvali OMON (special-purpose militia) fighters. According to Albert Dzhussoev, by this act the authorities of the Republic of South Ossetia (RSO) try to press on him, as reported by the "Gazeta.Ru" Agency.

Meanwhile, as a local woman said to the "Iron Times" Internet edition, streets in Kvais are patrolled by armed militiamen. "Nobody saw them during the war, and now they're walking here. They say, they are looking for some leaflets and newspapers."

When asked by the correspondent whether she saw leaflets and read them, the woman said: "Yes, I saw them, and the newspaper. They have the truth that authorities dislike."

Albert Dzhussoev manages a group of companies "Stroyprogress", busy with laying a gas pipeline from North Ossetia to South one under "Gazprom" order.