In South Ossetia, leader of "Rukhs Fidan" suspected of beating an MP

Law enforcers have detained Alan Kochiev, the leader of the South-Ossetian public-political movement "Rukhs Fidan" (Bright Future), who is suspected of beating Alik Pliev, a member of parliament (MP) of South Ossetia from the People's Party.

As earlier reported by the "Caucasian Knot", Alik Pliev was beaten in Tskhinvali on August 17. The incident was reported by Alan Tskhurbaev, the author of the blog "Ossetia and Around: View from Inside" on the "Caucasian Knot", who noted that Alan Kochiev, one of the leaders of the political movement "Rukhs Fidan" and a potential presidential candidate, was accused of the incident.

On August 18 Alan Kochiev was detained and a criminal case was opened against him on suspicion of intentional causing a grievous bodily harm, committed on the grounds of political hostility by a group of persons on prior consent. Apart from Kochiev, Alexander Kotaev and Timur Doguzov, residents of Tskhinvali, were detained.

On August 19, Taimuraz Khugaev, Public General Prosecutor of South Ossetia, said that the case had no political background. "The investigation of this criminal case is under my control; and I guarantee as soon as possible a full and impartial investigation of the crime," the "Res" Agency quotes Mr Khugaev as saying.

Let us remind you that this year South Ossetia will hold presidential election, since the second term of Eduard Kokoity's presidency expires this autumn.