Gisaev: Norwegian authorities hold forced repatriation of Chechens to Russia

As reported by human rights activist Akhmed Gisaev to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent, in the near future Norway will deport the Chechens, who had long tried to receive residence permits in this country.

According to Gisaev, on January 25 Norway already sent 16 Chechen families, about seventy persons in total. "Some of them stayed in Russia, others managed to go abroad again," added the human rights activist.

"Norwegians fail to observe obligations undertaken under the Convention 'On Refugee's Status' of 1951," he said, adding that "among those deported there are babies less than one year of age."

According to his story, the deportation order arrived from the Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg; and there were no grounds whatsoever to deport some of the refugees. "Some of them had their relatives assassinated and houses burnt down by Russian soldiers; it's dangerous for them to return," said Gisaev.

Most of these families came to Norway seven years ago; and until now their asylum applications were rejected. "They find fault in every trifle," noted the human rights activist. "For example, there is one date in 'Memorial' records on some person; in another record the date is different - and they make it a reason for rejection."

According to Gisaev, he was personally present at trials, "where the State Migration Service kept asserting that in Chechnya there is no warfare and combat actions; people cannot be persecuted there for religious reasons, because Kadyrov builds his state under the Sharia law." "Where do they take this information - I don't know," the human rights activist is perplexed.

The people, who have already been deported, according to their relatives, have been questioned by the FSB; however, what they were asked about and on what grounds - it is still unknown.

One of the refugees, who managed to stay in Norway, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that the police used force during the eviction. "They hurt my back," added the source, who preferred to remain anonymous.

It became known to the correspondent that Norwegian authorities did not deny the fact of eviction of Chechen families; however, they argue that they act under the law.

Members of the Chechen Diaspora in Norway announced a rally in front of the Norwegian Parliament. The statement said: "The action of the Norwegian authorities to expel Chechen refugees was accompanied by violence, including against persons with disabilities who lost their sight after being tortured in the Russian 'army'. Thus, the Norwegian government has made its choice - this is a form of complicity in the crimes committed by Russian authorities against the Chechen people. By acting in this way, they betray their own proclaimed values."