Zhernov: kidnappings in SFD remain an alarming factor

A briefing was held in Nalchik, at the Chief Department for Fighting Terror of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) of the Russian Federation for the South Federal District (SFD) (Centre-T), on the activities of the employees of Centre-T to counteract kidnappings and capture of hostages in the south of Russia. The briefing was conducted by Valery Zhernov, deputy head of the Operative and Search Bureau No. 1 of the Chief Department of Russian MIA and head of Centre-T.

According to the information announced at the briefing, the count of the crimes connected with kidnappings in the south of Russia has went down from 722 cases in 2002 to 225 in 2006.

In 2002, the majority of crimes were committed in the Chechen Republic - 565 cases. By the end of 2006, this figure dropped down to 61. In 2006, Dagestan registered 68 kidnappings, Rostov Region - 16, Volgograd Region - 15, Krasnodar Territory - 13, Republic North Ossetia-Alania (RNO-A) - 12, Ingushetia - 10, Stavropol Territory - 10, Karachayevo-Cherkessian Republic (KChR) - 5, and the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic (KBR) - 5. The territory of the Republic of Adygea was free of kidnapping.