Relatives of assassinated Ingush human rights defender challenge investigatory group

The relatives of Maksharip Aushev, the Ingush oppositionist murdered in Kabardino-Balkaria, are dissatisfied with the course of inquiry and ask to transfer the case to the central machinery of the Investigatory Committee at the Prosecutor's Office (ICPO) of the Russian Federation.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Maksharip Aushev perished on October 25, 2009, when in the "Kavkaz" Federal Highway his car was shelled by unidentified persons from a passing-by automobile.

As reported by Musa Pliev, advocate for the Aushevs, initially the investigation was due to be over on December 25, 2009; however, and then it was extended till February 25, 2010. "Over three months have passed, but the inquiry group is still interrogating the victims. We have decided to challenge these inspectors because of inefficient investigation," Mr Pliev said today as quoted by the "Interfax".

Another reason for the family's petition is the partiality and bias of certain inspectors. "The group includes the persons who had attracted Maksharip to criminal liability for disorders in the republic. Later he was acquitted on that case; but therefore we speak about their non-objectivity," Mr Pliev has added.

Magomed Aushev - Maksharip's father - has also expressed his extreme dissatisfaction with the course of inquiry.

According to "Ingushetia.org", Magomed promised mass protest actions if these prejudiced inspectors are not replaced.

No comments of the inquiry group members have followed so far.