Decision to stop inquiry into death of 24 civilians in Katyr-Yurt challenged in Grozny

As reported by Kirill Koroteev, an employee of the Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial", on September 26 a complaint was submitted to the Grozny Garrison Military Court against the decision to close the inquiry of the criminal case about the death in February 2000 of 24 residents of Chechnya at the bombing of the village of Katyr-Yurt, Achkhoi-Martan District.

According to the HRC "Memorial", on February 4, 2000, a large group of members of illegal armed formations (IAFs) entered Katyr-Yurt. Villagers had not been notified about a possible invasion. Then, Russian authorities launched a military operation that included missile and bomb attacks. As a result, according to various estimates, the village lost from a few dozens to more than 100 civilians.

Zara Isaeva, one of the residents of the village, lodged a complaint to the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in connection with the death of her son and three nieces in the attack. On February 24, 2005, the ECtHR ruled on the case "Isaeva versus Russia" and admitted a violation of Article 2 of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (the right to life).

However, investigators from the military prosecutor's office have repeatedly stopped and resumed the investigation of the criminal case "due to the lack of corpus delicti in the actions of officers of the armed forces of the Russian Federation."

On September 26, a complaint against the decision to stop the case was lodged to the Grozny Garrison Military Court on behalf of Marusa Abueva, whose son was killed in Katyr-Yurt.

Russian authorities had claimed that the assault of the village was justified by the resistance of IAF members who blocked the corridors for evacuation of villagers and used them as live shields.