North Ossetia: relatives of detained residents of Maiskoe claim fabrication of criminal case

The criminal case against Maiskoe villagers Aliskhan Gurazhev and Mustafa Barkinkhoev was fabricated, their relatives claim. Meanwhile, the court has ruled to arrest Gurazhev and Barkinkhoev.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on April 11, when the protest action on the Federal Highway "Kavkaz" was dispersed, 16 people were detained. Administrative cases will be initiated against seven of them.

According to a brother of one of the detainees, power agents did not allow relatives of Gurazhev and Barkinkhoev to be present, when their households were searched. The brother has added that during the search power agents planted two grenades and 50 rounds of ammunition and said they also found marijuana.

Criminal cases have been opened against the detainees for illegal purchase or possession of drugs. Opening of a new case – on illegal possession of ammunition and firearms – is considered, the "15th Region" reports.

On April 12, at an emergency sitting of the Board of Clans, Yunus-Bek Evkurov, the head of Ingushetia, said that the complicated situation in Maiskoe "was used by those who are now interested in the political instability in the republic."

When meeting detainees' relatives, Evkurov promised to hold a thorough investigation into the detention.