The Human Rights House is deeply concerned about the fate of Zelimkhan Murdalov, who dissapeared after he left his home in Grozny on 2 January 2001. After three years with suspentions the case will reopen in Grozny the 25 th of January(21-JAN-05).
According to Amnesty International his father, Astemir Murdalov, discovered that a young man matching his son´s description had been detained near Minutka Square in the centre of the city. At the nearest police station the deputy head told him that his son was being held on charges of possessing cannabis. On 5 January 2001 staff at the station claimed that Zelimkhan Murdalov had been released that morning.
Letter to the General Procurator in the Chechen Republic
The Human Rights House Foundation calls for the authorities to establish the fate and whereabouts of Zelimkhan Murdalov and to investigate allegations in a letter to the General Procurator Nikolai P. Kostiuchenko in the Chechen Republic:
Your Excellency,
We write to you to express our deep concern regarding the fate of Zelimkhan Murdalov, who was last seen in Grozny on 2 January 2001.
Dissapearance of Zemilkhan Murdalov
His father, Astemir Murdalov, discovered that a young man matching his son´s description had been detained near Minutka Square in the centre of the city. At the nearest police station the deputy head told him that his son was being held on charges of possessing cannabis. On 5 January 2001 staff at the station claimed that Zelimkhan Murdalov had been released that morning. Detainees who had been held in the same cell as Zelimkhan Murdalov on 3 January 2001 reportedly said that he was unconscious; his arm was broken and the bone was protruding from the skin; his genitals had been torn off; and his ear had been severed.
Criminal Investigation
On 7 January 2001 a criminal investigation was opened into Zelimkhan Murdalov´s “disappearance”. In February 2002 an officer was arrested, but he was released on 31 May by the Piatigorsk City Court. The criminal proceedings against him were later suspended after medical reports showed that the officer was suffering from bad health.
Impunity
Hundreds of people are believed to have “disappeared” at the hands of Russian security forces in the Chechen Republic since the start of the second conflict in 1999. The Russian authorities have failed to take effective measures to address human rights violations committed by Russian security forces in the Chechen Republic. The Human Rights House Foundation urges the authorities to establish the fate and whereabouts of Zelimkhan Murdalov and to investigate allegations that he was arbitrarily detained and tortured. The failure of bringing the officer to court is an evidence of the climate of impunity in the Russian Federation. We will remind the Russian authorities of their International obligations to respect and protect fundamental human rights.
Sign the letter from Amnesty International here:
