The Margiev family demanded an end to the pressure at a picket in Tskhinvali.

Members of the Margiev family held a picket today demanding the head of South Ossetia "stop the lawlessness" in the republic. They were detained but later released. Police Colonel Viktor Margiev stated that the family, including his son, is being threatened and pressured following his demands to investigate his brother's abduction.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," businessman Alan Margiev was kidnapped in Tskhinvali. Investigators have announced the opening of a criminal case for the kidnapping and extortion, but Margiev's brother, Police Colonel Viktor Margiev, accused the South Ossetian leadership of protecting an organized crime group, which he claims kidnapped Alan. Viktor Margiev stated that after his statements, he came under pressure and was forced to leave South Ossetia.

A protest took place in Tskhinvali this morning. The state news agency "Res" called the protest unauthorized and reported that its participants were taken to the South Ossetian State Security Committee.

"They were explained the responsibility for violating the procedure for holding public events, after which they were released," the publication stated.

According to photos published by the Telegram channel "Bonvarnon," two women came out to the city's central square with signs reading: "Gagloev, stop this lawlessness!" and "STOP organized crime."

According to the photo description, the protest was carried out by members of the Margiev family. Viktor Margiev's son, Igor Margiev, a student at the University of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, was beaten, and then had harassment at his home for several days. The Ministry of Internal Affairs leadership is aware of this but is doing nothing. Igor Margiev was also forced to leave the Republic, according to the video description.

Previously, Igor Margiev, a fifth-year student at the Krasnodar University of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, was supposed to do an internship at the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of South Ossetia since January of this year, as he was sent to study through that agency. However, he was investigated and received a reprimand.

On February 7, Viktor Margiev contacted First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office of the Russian Federation, Sergei Kiriyenko.

"I, Viktor Nodarovich Margiev, a police colonel with the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of South Ossetia, am appealing to you with a sincere request for assistance in the current critical situation related to the threat to my life and the safety of my family, as well as the egregious violations of the law in the Republic of South Ossetia," the statement posted on the Telegram channel reads.

He stated that after his brother's abduction, he appealed to the authorities but fell victim to pressure and threats. According to him, the authorities are condoning the actions of a criminal group.

"An extremely grave situation has developed in the Republic of South Ossetia: entrepreneurs are being systematically extorted, and those who refuse to comply are kidnapped, intimidated, and tortured, taken to forested areas. Seeing the inaction of the RSO leadership, I decided to publicize these facts by publishing information on my Instagram page*. In response, the Minister of Internal Affairs of the RSO personally contacted me and demanded that I remove the post. I refused to comply with this illegal demand. Just 30 minutes later, arrived at my home, and under the pretext of "talking," they attempted to force me into a service vehicle. Realizing their true intentions, I jumped out of the moving car and avoided being kidnapped. As I learned, their goal was to confiscate my phone and, likely, eliminate me as a witness. <...> After this incident, pressure from the RSO authorities intensified. I was forced to leave South Ossetia on September 14, 2025. However, the persecution did not stop there," Margiev stated.

According to him, he began receiving threats of physical violence, as well as threats against his children and nieces.

He stated that he was on vacation from September 2 to October 25, 2025, but was unable to return to the republic afterward. On February 6, he was officially dismissed from the police. Meanwhile, "the authorities of the Republic of South Ossetia sent their people to his home to negotiate reconciliation with the organized crime group, so that they would finally be released, but I did not agree."

Khokh Gabaraev, among others, was previously detained in connection with the kidnapping of Alan Margiev, JamNews writes.

"The entire republic is in an atmosphere of fear created by the actions of the authorities and criminal groups. In connection with the above, I ask you to assist in ensuring the safety of my family and me personally," Viktor Margiev addressed Kiriyenko.

* Meta (owner of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp) is banned in Russia.