Journalists beaten up in Ingushetia question investigation prospects

The duration of the inquiry into the attack on journalists and rights defenders in Ingushetia on the border with Chechnya has been extended and by October 25 will make 30 months, Yegor Skovoroda has informed.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on March 9, 2016, in Ingushetia, near the administrative border with Chechnya, a group of unknown persons attacked and beat up eight rights defenders and journalists, as well as the minibus driver of the Mobile Group of the "Committee for the Prevention of Torture" (CPT), who were on their way to Grozny. As a result, four persons were hospitalized.

The period of the preliminary investigation into the attack on journalists and rights defenders committed on the border with Chechnya in the spring of 2016 has been prolonged until October 25, 2018, Yegor Skovoroda, a journalist of the "Mediazona", who suffered in the attack, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent today.

"By October 25, the inquiry will last for 30 months," Mr Skovoroda has added.

Investigators fail to take any real action to capture the criminals, the suffered journalists told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent. "I see no prospects for the investigation," said Yegor Skovoroda, expressing the opinion that "political will is necessary" for an efficient investigation.

According to his version, the investigation will last "a couple more years," and "if the attack is forgotten, the case will be closed." Investigators "should look towards (the authorities) of Chechnya" to find the customers of the attack, Yegor Skovoroda is sure.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on August 16, 2018 at 05:10 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.