14:23, 10 August 2018

86 relatives of disappeared Chechen residents get genetic passports

The issuance of genetic passports in Chechnya. Photo by Ibragim Estamirov / IA Grozny Inform

The authorities of Chechnya have reported on the issuance of genetic passports for next 86 relatives of the people disappeared during military campaigns. Local residents complain that it takes a lot of time to get those documents.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the authorities started to issue genetic passports in the spring of 2013. On August 30, 2017, 118 citizens of the Chechen Republic got genetic passports.

There is no reliable information concerning the number of Chechen residents, who disappeared or were kidnapped in the course of military operations. The database of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) includes 3016 people, while rights defenders report more than 5000 disappeared people. Many residents of Chechnya believe that 15,000-20,000 people disappeared during the two military campaigns.

To obtain a genetic passport, relatives of a disappeared person need to submit blood samples for DNA analysis.

"A genetic passport makes it possible to identify human remains with almost 100% probability," reported the Bureau of Forensic Expertise.

"I lost my nephew, who was taken away in Grozny in 2002. He was the only son in the family. His parents died without waiting for the opportunity to bury him in a human way," said local resident Leyla.

"A genetic passport is the last hope to find a disappeared person ... I have not yet got a genetic passport, but two of my acquaintances got their documents yesterday," said Raisa, a resident of Grozny, whose brother disappeared in 2000.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on August 10, 2018 at 11:55 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.

Source: CK correspondent