Court interrogates Isa Khamkhoev, Police Chief of Karabulak, on torturing detainees

On October 28, the Karabulak Court of Ingushetia held regular session on the case of Nazir Guliev and Ilyas Nalgiev, ex-officers of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), accused of torturing detainees. Isa Khamkhoev was questioned as the victim.

In last September, in accordance with the order of the Minister of Internal Affairs, Isa Khamkhoev was appointed acting chief of the OVD (Interior Division) of the town of Karabulak. Earlier, this position was occupied by Guliev. On September 17, 2010, Khamkhoev was to begin his official duties.

At night on September 17, Khamkhoev received information that Guliev together with his guards would attempt to capture the OVD.

On September 17, Khamkhoev, in accordance with duty regulations in the event of an attack and attempt to capture the OVD, instructed to start the plan "Fortress", and the building was cordoned off. At 8:00 a.m., Guliev entered the OVD building and went, accompanied by Khamkhoev, to his office.

There, they had a fight, which, according to Khamkhoev, had been initiated by Guliev.

In his turn, Guliev rejects the information that he allegedly tried to capture the OVD. After testifying, Khamkhoev signed a statement that he had no claims against the defendants.

The victim Isa Khamkhoev refused to comment on the case to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent. Aza Yandieva, the Nalgiev's lawyer, also refused to comment and said that the comments would be premature.

On September 12, the consideration of the criminal case against Nalgiev and Guliev has been started. The victim Zelimkhan Chigitov, who is now in Norway for safety reasons, was the first person, who publicly spoke about the torture to which, according to him, he had been put by the defendants.