Aushev's murder proves insecurity of people in Ingushetia, human rights activists assert

Ingush human rights activists express their extreme concern of the murder of Maksharip Aushev, a republic's well-known public figure.

"After Natasha's murder it seemed that something would change. But already after the murders of Zarema Sadulayeva and her husband a question went up: 'who's next?' Now, it's fearfully to ask this question, as the answer comes too quickly," Timur Akiev, head of the office of the Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial" in Ingushetia, said to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

The human rights activist believes that Maksharip Aushev was a "true leader of the opposition."

"The most worthy people pass away. In the 'Memorial', we perceived him as a true leader of the opposition, who had enough boldness and bravery to resist the existing situation. In 2007, he took the lead of the opposition and undertook this burden. A criminal case was fabricated against him. However, he was later completely acquitted; it was a victory for all of us. They also tried to kidnap him," said Mr Akiev.

He has added that Maksharip Aushev, after giving up his oppositional activities and mingling in politics in general, wanted to be engaged only in his business, but all the same people addressed him for help.

According to the human rights activist, after Yunus-Bek Evkurov came to power, public figures hoped that they would have no problems any more, like the opposition had under the previous president Murat Zyazikov. But Maksharip Aushev's murder, as Timur Akiev believes, has caused great doubts on whether it is possible to "tell truth" in Ingushetia.

"Our version of Maksharip's murder is a murder with political context, a murder because of Maksharip's activities. All the versions offered by power agencies have no grounds," he has noted.

The investigation of the murder, as Timur Akiev believes, is intentionally complicated by the fact that it was committed in another region.

"In Maksharip's case the witness base will weak. Practically, there's only one witness - the woman who was in the car with him, but she is in a grave condition," Akiev said in this context.

In his opinion, the fact of committing the murder in the neighbouring region will also complicate supervision and control over the investigation by the authorities and public of Ingushetia.

Ruslan Badalov, Chairman of the Russian Public Movement "Chechen Committee of National Salvation", told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that this murder exposed people's vulnerability.

According to the human rights activist, the fact of committing the murder in a rather quiet region of Northern Caucasus, where gunmen managed to track Aushev, indicates that they had a plan and means of "retreat and shelter."

Mr Badalov believes that a person can be prosecuted for his or her public activity even after changing his or her business: "This activity is never forgiven."