RSF asks about reasons for detention of journalists' guide in Chechnya

The international organization Reporters Sans Frontieres (Reporters Without Borders or RSF) addressed acting Internal Affairs Minister Rashid Nurgaliev of Russia with a request to explain the reasons for detention in Chechnya of Ruslan Soltakhanov who was attending Rebecca Santana, an American journalist. The RSF International Secretariat said Reporters expressed deep concern about the situation.

"This case once again demonstrates the Russian government do all they can to prevent the press from covering developments in Chechnya. We are afraid Ruslan Soltakhanov has been subject to repression for helping journalists work in the republic," RSF representatives say.

Soltakhanov, a guide and driver cooperating with journalists covering the war, was detained on February 13. Rebecca Santana, Moscow correspondent for American-based Cox, explained she had contacted the wife of the detained driver who had told her five men in civilian clothes had come to their place in the morning on February 13 and taken away her husband. They had taken away the documents and said they had found two grenades while searching the place. Soltakhanov's wife denies her husband could have stored arms at home.

The pictures Santana took during her trip, a film, and records were taken away from her on February 12. All these articles were given back to her on the next day by the press service for the Foreign Ministry, but the films were spoiled.

RSF claimed seizure of the journalist's workbooks with her records is inadmissible.

"The FSB, police and prosecutor's office in Mozdok, North Ossetia, knew Soltakhanov attended me in my trip," explains Rebecca Santana, seriously worried about her driver. "I am sure he was arrested because he worked with me."