Abduction of Maskhadov's relatives investigated

Chechen law enforcement agencies are investigating an abduction of Aslan Maskhadov's closest relatives. Abductors have not been found, the whereabouts of the abducted people and their further destiny are not known.

"Republican prosecutors have opened 8 criminal cases in connection with the abduction of relatives of Ichkerian leader Aslan Maskhadov. There're no exact suspects in the case so far. There're only rumors, guesses and suppositions, but we have no real evidence that officers of Chechen security agencies are involved in the abduction," an officer of the Chechen Interior Ministry said to the Caucasian Knot correspondent. "Maskhadov's two brothers, sister, nephew, and several other relatives were abducted from their houses on December 3, 2004, but law enforcement agencies received corresponding applications only in the second half of January. Had the Maskhadov family turned to us right after the happening, this investigation would have started much earlier."

Meantime, a number of human rights organizations as well as relatives and friends of the abducted people are convinced the abduction of Aslan Maskhadov's relatives was organized by the Chechen presidential security service, headed by first deputy prime minister of the government Ramzan Kadyrov.