Chechnya: houses of relatives of Bantaev, killed in special operation, burnt down, locals say

Shortly after the April 22 special operation in the village of Komsomolskoe, Gudermes District of Chechnya, armed men in camouflage burned down the houses belonging to relatives of Akhmed Bantaev, one of those killed in the special operation. This was reported by local residents to human rights defenders.

Two days after the special operation, armed men in camouflage appeared in Komsomolskoe; they drove Akhmed Bantaev's relatives out of the house owned by his grandfather and grandmother, and burned it down. The Bantaevs were not allowed to take out anything, even documents, out of the house, located in the centre of the village.

According to local residents, a fire-fighting vehicle was near the arson; however, the power agents gave a command to fire-fighters to spray water only on the neighbouring house. The house and all the property of Bantaevs' burned down completely.

Another house – in the eastern outskirt of the village – was also burned down. He belonged to Akhmed Bantaev's parents and was leased by tenants. They were also kicked out of the house, not allowing to take anything out; then, the house burned down. This is reported in the release of the Human Rights Center (HRC) "Memorial", received by the "Caucasian Knot".

So far, the "Caucasian Knot" has no comments of law enforcers about the arsons in Komsomolskoe.