22:48, 24 March 2007

Ingushetia boils over kidnapping of the 78-years old president's relative

The kidnapping of Ingush president Murat Zyazikov's close relative accomplished yesterday in the Barsuki Municipal District of Nazran has provoked a broad public resonance and indignation among the authorities and public of the Republic.

Isa Kostoev, member of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, has addressed the citizens of Ingushetia on the occasion. In his statement he calls the Ingush people to keep calmness.

"I call all the residents of the Republic to assist to prompt liberation of the innocent old man," he said.

Mr. Kostoev has expressed his confidence that "the accident will be duly politically estimated and adequately reacted to," and the criminals will be searched and punished.

In the opinion of Vassily Likhachov, deputy chair of the Federation Council's Committee for Foreign Matters, the kidnappers of old Mr. Zyazikov aimed to destabilize the situation in the Republic.

Author: Timur Khamkhoyev, CK correspondent