21:30, 2 March 2010

Chechnya sets up kidnapping inquiry division at its ICPO

As reported on Tuesday by Alexander Bastrykin, head of the Russia's ICPO (Investigatory Committee at the Prosecutor's Office), a special division was set up at the regional department of the Committee for investigating kidnappings committed in Chechnya. The division will work in close interaction with relatives of kidnapped persons.

Let us note here that according to the "Caucasian Knot", for the 300 days that have elapsed after cancellation of the counterterrorist operation (CTO) regime in the territory of Chechnya, information about 32 kidnappings of civilians arrived from the republic, while for the same period prior to CTO lifting, 14 kidnappings had been reported.

"The years of warfare gave rise to many problems related with disappearances. I want to say that we've set up a special division intended to interact with victims' families in investigating such incidents," the "Gazeta.Ru" quotes Mr Bastrykin as saying.