European Court convicts Russia for kidnapping five Chechen residents in 2003

At the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), Russia has lost another case to relatives of five residents of Chechnya kidnapped in 2003. Under the decision of the Court, the victims should get in total 215,000 euros of compensation.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the ECtHR receives a record number of complaints from Russians, mostly - from residents of Chechnya.

The process, the decision on which was announced today, was held on the claim of kidnapping Aslanbek Ismailov, Aslan Ismailov, Khizir Ismailov, Yusi Daidaev and Yaragi Ismailov. In January 2003, they were taken away from their homes in Achkhoy-Martan by armed people in camouflage. The decision says that the ECtHR has found the Ismailovs and Dadaev perished and defined the compensation of caused damage.

Relatives of the kidnapped persons accused special agencies of committing this crime. Having studied the circumstances of the cases, the Strasbourg Court has stated that the relatives of the claimants were secretly detained by Russian militaries, the "Kommersant" writes.

The Russian authorities will have to pay 40,000 euros for the material damage, 175,000 euros for the moral damage and 5500 euros as compensation of court expenses.

On November 18, President of Russia Dmitri Medvedev said that the ECtHR has no right to impose any decisions on criminal prosecution on Russia. When the ECtHR decides on material compensations to Russian citizens, then, according to Mr Medvedev, "such decisions are fulfilled, as we are a member of this court," as reported by the "Grani.Ru".