Ingush oppositionists hold picket in defence of human rights in front of Russian State Duma

Today, near the building of the State Duma in Moscow, members of the Ingush regional social movement "Mekhk-Kkhel" (People's Parliament) held single pickets under slogans sounding: "Stop extrajudicial killings and kidnappings in Ingushetia!" and "Evkurov to resign!".

Picketers dated their protest action to Days of Ingushetia in State Duma, which are planned for May 15-17. Let us remind you that the three-day celebration to mark the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the republic includes presentation of social and economic development of Ingushetia, meeting of Ingush delegation with deputies of various committees, and exhibition, which presents perspective investment projects.

According to Yusup Khamkhoev, one of the participants of the protest action, General Director of Joint-Stock Company (JSC) "Magas" Truck Trailer Plant, Days of Ingushetia in the Parliament are "window dressing", arranged by Yunus-Bek Evkurov, the leader of the republic, to "wash himself before the State Duma and delay time of critical evaluation of his activities."

Picket in front of State Duma building. Moscow, May 16, 2012. Photographic report prepared by Natalia Krainova, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Since unsanctioned mass pickets are prohibited by law, the participants of the protest action stood up one by one at different entrances of the State Duma, not to be in sight of each other.

The "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was explained by Sarazhdin Sultygov, the member of the Supreme Council of the "Mekhk-Kkhel": "We have repeatedly appealed to the country's President, to the Prime Minister, and to the MPs asking them to stop corruption and total lawlessness committed in the republic. Mythical organizations kidnap and murder our people. We tried to hold a rally in Ingushetia and the authorities do not allow holding it."

Salman Ugurchiev, one of the picketers, the resident of Ingushetia, lost four sons. "During the reign of Evkurov, every day young guys are being kidnapped in the republic. One of my sons was kidnapped in March 2009, the second son in the last year, on August 23, and two sons were killed: the one was killed in 2010 and another in 2011. There is no one, to whom I could appeal, and there is no one, to whom I could file a complaint," says Salman Ugurchiev.

"Only in 2010, according to the report of the human rights organization 'Mashr', in Ingushetia, 160 persons were killed and 13 persons were kidnapped. None of them was found," stated Yusup Khamkhoev.

The organizers of the protest action in front of the State Duma declare that if their protest action brings no results, they will be seeking to hold a large rally in Ingushetia.