Woman from KBR states abduction of her nephew

Magomed Lokyaev, 23, a resident of the city of Tyrnyauz, was kidnapped in the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic (KBR). This was reported by his aunt Khava Tekaeva, who lives in the village of Verkhni Baksan, the Elbrus District of the KBR.

According to her story, Magomed was taken away by unidentified persons in camouflage uniform yesterday, on July 15, at 8 a.m. from the house of his grandmother in the village of Verkhni Baksan. Since then, the family knows nothing about his whereabouts.

"We're looking for him since yesterday and can't find," said Khava Tekaeva. "Power agencies say they know nothing about him."

She added that her nephew was not searched. He had worked at the chair lift; and after the CTO (counterterrorist operation) regime was introduced in the district, he lost his job and got registered at the district employment centre, where he appeared every month to confirm his status. "He travelled across the district, presented his ID at checkpoints; and nobody had any claims to him," the woman said.

"After the unidentified power agents had spent three hours in the house, they called witnesses and announced that they found TNT (trotyl) in Magomed Lokyaev's room," said Tekaeva. According to her story, the witnesses refused to sign the protocol.

She also reported that earlier five persons had been detained in the village under similar pretexts. "They found a grenade in one place and TNT somewhere else," she added.

The woman said that "it is a mowing season now, but residents fear to let their sons to mountain meadows, as they may be suspected of having links with militants."

So far, there are no comments from the police regarding Tekaeva's allegations.