10:34, 24 September 2007

Deputy of Ichkerian Parliament kidnapped in Chechnya is at large

Vagap Tutakov, former special representative of Aslan Maskhadov in Strasbourg and a deputy of the Chechen Parliament of 1997 convocation, kidnapped by unknown persons on September 10 in the southwest of the Republic, has been released.

"Mr Tutakov was set free in the afternoon on September 22. The kidnappers put a polyethylene bag over his head, brought him to Grozny and put out of the car near the building, where the office of Chechen Ombudsman is located. The former deputy himself and his relatives would not comment on the events," an employee of one of local human rights organizations told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

"On the first day after kidnapping, Vagap Tutakov was severely beaten by his kidnappers and had a heart attack. His relatives say that he needs serious treatment now," the source has added.

We remind you that Vagap Tutakov was kidnapped in the afternoon on September 10 in the Urus-Martan District of Chechnya.

Author: Sultan Abubakarov, CK correspondent