Shelling of Khazbievs' house in Ingushetia was not an attempt, experts believe

The shelling of the Khazbievs' house became not the first case in Ingushetia, which can be qualified as violent pressure on political opponents, said Sarazhdin Sultygov, an activist of the "Mekhk-Khel".

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported referring to Khazbiev's relatives that his house in Nazran was shelled at night on February 17.

"Here, in Ingushetia, such methods of 'dialogue' with the opposition are a common practice, unfortunately... Grenades were thrown not only into his house. A grenade was also thrown into the household of the former lawyer Zima Sautieva," Sarazhdin Sultygov told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

In the opinion of Ruslan Martagov, a political scientist, the mechanism of persecuting dissidents in Ingushetia is a continuation of the federal policy of persecuting activists. However, according to his story, it is unlikely that Magomed Khazbiev's opponents will dare to physically liquidate him.

The night shelling of the Khazbievs' household cannot be qualified as hooliganism, said Timur Akiev, the head of the Ingush branch of the HRC "Memorial".

"These actions were pre-planned. Who was shooting and under whose orders – we can build different assumptions on this occasion. Law enforcement bodies should say their word here," the rights defender told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

However, he expressed doubt that some forces in Ingushetia are seeking to physically liquidate Magomed Khazbiev.

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