23:40, 27 October 2009

Amnesty International: authorities of Kabardino-Balkaria shall investigate Maksharip Aushev's murder

Russian authorities, and, in particular, those of Kabardino-Balkaria are obliged to find and make responsible those guilty of murdering Maksharip Aushev, the leading Ingush activist of the civil society. This was stated today by the Amnesty International (AI), an international human rights organization.

"In no case should Maksharip Aushev's murder become another non-opened attack on civil society and human rights activists in Northern Caucasus," said Nicholas Duckworth, director of the AI's regional programme for Europe and Middle Asia.

"Bringing those guilty of Maksharip Aushev's murder to responsibility is important for stability of the region as a whole," Mr Duckworth has noted.

"The authorities, including the federal ones in Moscow, shall bear the responsibility for ensuring defence of peaceful residents of Northern Caucasus," he continued. "If it's not done, the burning fuse will provoke an explosion. The region will see still more violence, lawlessness and grief."

The Amnesty International condoles with Maksharip Aushev's relatives and friends.

Author: Dmitry Florin

Source: CK correspondent