HRC "Memorial": civilians taken hostages of special operation in the capital of Chechnya

The Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial" informs that during special operation in Grozny, the capital of Chechnya, people found themselves in the role of hostages in the situation, when an intensive skirmish burst out between the parties.

We remind you that a special operation was held at night of December 16 in the Leninskiy District of Grozny, during which a combat collision took place.

The document of the HRC "Memorial" runs that the clash had lasted for the whole night with rare 15-20 minute breaks. All this time, the life and health of people, including women and children, was in danger.

On December 18, many victims from House No. 21 in Kirova Avenue filed their applications to the HRC "Memorial" with an appeal to draw attention of the authorities to the incident.

"We spent the whole night on the floor under windows. My son of 10 has a heart disease and he was already twice operated on. He felt bad, and we could hardly bring him back to consciousness. When he felt bad again, we were allowed to leave the flat, but it was already impossible because of shelling," a resident of Apartment No. 116 writes in his application. People in military uniform who came into his flat, checked up the documents of Abdullah Abdusalamov, and then tried to take him away without giving any reasons. "However, my neighbour stood up for me," Abdullah said.

It is necessary to note here that on next morning one of peaceful residents of the neighbouring house was detained. According to eyewitnesses, Khasiev, Ruslan Dukvakhovich, 27, was standing at the entrance of the suffered building together with other witnesses of the event. Members of some investigatory bodies probably got alerted with the "Wahhabist" beard of the young man, remarks the message of the HRC "Memorial". After checking his documents, without any further explanations, they put him into VAZ militia car No. 347 of silvery colour and brought away in unknown direction.