Murder of Chechen activist Imran Gaziev in Azerbaijan remains unsolved

The murder of Chechen activist Imran Gaziev (Umar Gazi), accomplished on November 18, 2007, in Baku, remains unsolved until now. The "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was told about it by Isa Akhyadov, Chechen human rights activist who lives in Azerbaijan.

"Unfortunately, the prosecutor's office of the city of Baku, which runs the investigation of Gaziev's murder, gives no information about the course of investigation. According to our data, even the suspects of the crime are not established yet," said Mr Akhyadov.

In his opinion, Gaziev's murder had political character, and "this was the work of Russian special agencies." According to Akhyadov, in Azerbaijan, Chechen refugees are exposed to prosecutions by Russian special agencies. In particular, Chechen refugees are often kidnapped in Azerbaijan.

As he said, Russian special agents try to eliminate everyone who defends the rights of Chechen refugees. According to Mr Akhyadov, Russian authorities try to force Chechens back home.

Isa Akhyadov has noted that Gaziev was among those who actively protected the rights of refugees from Chechnya and urged the Baku office of the United Nations High Commissioner on Refugees (UN?CR) to grant them the official status of refugees, pay them monthly allowances or resettle them to the third country. The problem is that for lack of the status people cannot receive their IDs, find jobs, get education, etc.

"Now, Chechen refugees are given out some 100-120 dollars per family of 5-6 persons for 3-4 months. Gaziev actively raised all these issues," said Akhyadov.

Besides, he continued, Imran Gaziev helped in accommodating the refugees and finding jobs for them. In particular, thanks to his efforts the Professional Training Centre was launched, where young people are trained in specialities of repairing mobile phones and computers; they were also educated in the sphere of human rights. It was very important in view of the fact that for lack of documents young Chechens cannot enter higher schools in Azerbaijan.

According to Akhyadov, today, about 2500 Chechen refugees live in Azerbaijan.

The State Office of Public Prosecutor and the Baku City Prosecutor's Office gave no comments on the course of investigation of Gaziev's murder.