Book about disappearances in Chechnya presented in Grozny

The book by Alexander Cherkasov "Fate Unknown", which gives documentary facts of abductions and killings committed by Russian federal forces in the Chechen Republic in the period from October 1999 to 2000, was presented in the capital of Chechnya.

The book reports about 384 residents of Chechnya detained by power agents, who later disappeared or were found killed, and about 187 others, who disappeared during the above period. The book contains names of most of the victims of forced disappearances during the "counterterrorist operation" in the first year when it was launched.

Aidini Idalova, a resident of Chechnya, who was present at the event and whose three sons were kidnapped by law enforcers at the beginning of the second Chechen military campaign (their fate is still unknown), told about what she had to live through over the years since.

"My three sons were kidnapped; and I know who did it: they now sit in power. I'd like to know why were they kidnapped; and what happened to them? What crimes had they committed? We, mothers of missing people are insulted and persecuted here in every possible way. I myself was repeatedly threatened, and after I lodged a complaint to the European Court of Human Rights, they took me and kept in custody for a month, demanding that I recall the complaint and say that my sons were militants, and in our yard, allegedly, a cache of weapons was found," said the woman.

"Today, everyone says that Grozny was rebuilt; that here we see beautiful high-rise buildings, paved streets and so on. Why do I need it all, even if the streets were of gold, if I have nobody left? I have nothing left; and I have no fear – I have nothing more to lose," said Idalova.

All the participants of the presentation of the book "Fate Unknown" have emphasized the importance of making public the names of missing and abducted people during the Chechen War.