Relatives of Alikhan Tochiev, killed in Nalchik, report he was kidnapped before special operation

A native of Ingushetia Alikhan Tochiev, who was killed in Nalchik, was kidnapped two days before the special operation in the city; and his body had traces of torture, said his relatives. They deny the authorities' version about Alikhan's links with militants from Syria and do not believe that he was killed in the armed clash.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on January 18, in Nalchik, in the territory of the gardening partnerships "Druzhba" and "Michurinets", a special operation was conducted. After it, law enforces reported the murder of Alikhan Tochiev, an explosive expert and participant of the warfare in Syria.

A close relative of the family told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that Tochiev's relatives do not believe in his death during the special operation.

"Look at the video posted on the Internet. We see snow there. Ask if there was snow in Nalchik on that day. Where had they got it?! Besides, in the photos, Alikhan's body has no bullet traces," said the relative.

Relatives assert that Tochiev's body was all in grazes and bruises, which, in their opinion, proves that he was tortured.

"He's never been in Syria," said Mussa, a friend of the family. "He worked as a lawyer for a pharmacy company; he built a house and was going to marry. His neighbours speak very highly of him. He had nothing to do with extremists or terrorists. The only thing they could find fault with, was a small mosque next to his house – he went to pray in it, that's all."

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.