Ingush branch of HRC "Memorial" resumes work after arson

The attack on the Ingush office of the Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial" failed to disrupt the work of rights defenders in Ingushetia, said Timur Akiev, the head of the Ingush representative office of the HRC "Memorial". He has noted that the authorities did not offer to move to another premise, but rights defenders' friends helped to resume the work.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that at night on January 17, a fire broke out in the office of the HRC "Memorial" situated in the city of Nazran. Computers and furniture were burned down; none of the staff was hurt.

Timur Akiev has noted that the work of the office "was interrupted just for a few days." "We continue working on all the programmes; and we'll go on monitoring the situation with respect for human rights in Ingushetia," Mr Akiev has assured.

"I believe that the arson was committed by an order from the side. In all probability, local performers were hired for money," an Ingush law enforcement source has stated.

The Ingush branch of the HRC "Memorial" was opened in March 2000, and initially dealt with the problems of refugees from Chechnya. "Very soon, rights defenders had to deal with extrajudicial executions, kidnappings and torture," the "Mediazona" writes.