11:58, 11 March 2004

International aid agency accuses Russian authorities of being involved in kidnapping of its employee

The head of Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), Jean-Herve Bradol, said he was speaking out because he was concerned for an abducted colleague.

Arjan Erkel, a Dutch national, was kidnapped in Dagestan 19 months ago. No ransom demand has been made.

Mr Bradol said his kidnapping was aimed at "silencing those criticising conditions in Chechnya".

"After 19 months of pragmatism we have decided to break the silence," he told AFP news agency.

"Dagestan and federal officials are implicated in kidnapping affairs.

"We do not make these comments lightly.

"Some very powerful people are involved, including parliamentarians."

Mr Bradol said negotiations for Mr Erkel's release had been taking place before December, but suddenly the intermediaries withdrew.

He has called on international organisations, including the European Union and the United Nations, to act.

Source: BBC Radio (Great Britain)