20:17, 1 November 2005

Suspects confirm torture in Nalchik

Caucasian Knot's correspondent has met one of those detained on suspicion of taking part in the attack on law enforcement and security agencies in Kabardino-Balkaria on 13 October. The interlocutor who wants to remain anonymous has told her about the use of violence by officers of law enforcement and security agencies in the course of investigation and the use of torture with respect to suspects kept in custody.

"I was detained in the street near my home on 13 November. Apparently, someone's report that I am a believer served as a ground. I would like to emphasise that I only pray at home and don't go to the mosque," the man said.

"They brought me to the sixth division (of the Department for the Combating of Organised Crime of Kabardino-Balkaria's Internal Affairs Ministry). There were very many detained people by that time. They were standing in the vestibule, facing the wall. I cannot give the exact number of people there because I could not turn around my head. I think there were 50 to 100 of them. Their numbers were changing. Some were allowed to go and some were brought away somewhere."

According to the suspect, he was tortured in order to make him confess to taking part in the attack on the capital of Kabardino-Balkaria. "They beat me. They beat me with their fists, kicked me, beat with their truncheons, with the butt of a submachine gun. Everyone going by tried to hit. I heard other people moan and cry," said the interlocutor. "They next made an examination of my fingers; apparently, they made certain that my hands did not smell of gunpowder or gun oil, so they let me go after that. A friend of mine who had also been detained told me later that he had been tortured with electricity."

Law enforcement / security agencies were earlier reported to use torture against Rasul Kudayev, a former Guantanamo prisoner.

Rasul Kudayev was beaten by officers of some of Kabardino-Balkaria's law enforcement / security agencies in order to make them confess to taking part in the Nalchik attack, Caucasian Knot's correspondent reported. His mother, Fatima Tekayev, says that Rasul was beaten so cruelly that they had to call for ambulance. However, when she applied for a corresponding document, she was denied that. Ms Tekayev was told that such reference could only be issued if ordered by law enforcement agencies. Mr Kudayev's mother says that Rasul had absolutely nothing to do with the Nalchik attack. She says that he was in all the time, as he is seriously ill and practically disabled.