11:13, 9 June 2004

Officially closed refugee camp still functions

As of June 8, only 3-4 tents remained in the last of the largest tent camps for Chechen refugees Satsita situated in the village of Ordzhonikidzevskaya, Ingushetia's Sunzha district, a source in the Sunzha district migration department of the Ingush Interior Ministry told the Caucasian Knot correspondent.

Meanwhile, the Satsita camp officially ceased to exist on June 7. The same day, Deputy Prime Minister of the Ingush Government for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Magomed Markhiyev told the Interfax news agency that "the Satsita camp exists no longer, and there are no tents there." Head of the Sunzha district migration department Ali Parov told the Caucasian Knot correspondent via phone: "One can speak about the final closure of the camp when several last families will be removed from here. The camp communication structure is functioning as usual now. Electricity, gas and water are being supplied to the camp." Mr Parov pointed out that refugees returned to Chechnya voluntarily as before.

Editors note: See also the article "Last refugee camp in Ingushetia closed".

Author: Malika Suleymanova, CK correspondent

Source: Caucasian Knot