12:59, 30 September 2003

EU doubts elections in Chechnya will be held in compliance with law

Italy, which is in the chair of the European Union now, stated its concern in respect of the presidential elections in Chechnya scheduled for October 5. The statement issued in Brussels on Friday, September 26, reads, in particular, that the EU points to the facts of intimidation of candidates and falsifications in the course of the election campaign. Meanwhile, as it is stressed in the statement later, the elections must be found legitimate by all the Chechens, including those who live in exile.

The EU calls on Russia more harshly than usual to respond to the charges of human rights violations in Chechnya. Moscow is called to vouch that Chechens who escaped to the other republics of the Northern Caucasus will not be forcedly returned to Chechnya.

Source: Deutsche Welle Radio