Human rights activist in Ingushetia wants information on mass burials to be checked

Intense rumours have been circulating in the republic during the recent days that traces of mass burials have been discovered in the village of Vesioloye of Mozdok district, North Ossetia, where the body of Uvais Dolakov, resident of Ingushetia kidnapped earlier, was found one of these days.

Magomed Mutsolgov, leader of the Ingush human rights organization "MARSH," thinks that the investigation on the case of kidnapping Dolakov must check the information by a direct visit of the spot. In his opinion, other victims of extra-judicial executions may be buried in the common grave near the village of Vesioloye, including residents of Ingushetia kidnapped on the territory of North Ossetia.

Recently, the human rights activist, upon the request of relatives of the republic's residents, kidnapped or lost in different time periods, has officially filed this proposal at the RI prosecutor's office. "In recent days, more than 20 relatives of kidnapped or lost Ingushetia residents have addressed our organization office and asked to help them arrange a check of this information. People want to learn something about their lost relatives. They have even suggested that they should visit the alleged burial place themselves and do independent excavations. I have explained that this must not be done because it may entail harmful consequences," says the human rights activist.

"On June 9 of the current year, upon their request, I submitted an official application to the prosecutor's office of the Republic of Ingushetia in which I suggested that investigative actions should be conducted, necessary for checking the alleged burial place in conformance with the current legislation. However, due to unknown reasons, the office refused to register it, claiming that such things are not practiced there," related Magomed Mutsolgov to the "Caucasian Knot" .

According to the human rights activist, more than 150 people have been lost on the territory of Ingushetia. Nothing is known about their fate. "According to our data, more than 10 residents of Ingushetia have been kidnapped or lost under various circumstances since the beginning of 2006. It should be noted that the number of kidnappings has considerably decreased this year, but each case is a tragedy, and we must do everything we can in order to help find them," he added.