Pressure on Moslems is stronger in Kabardino-Balkaria

In Kabardino-Balkaria, after the recent execution of hunters, the pressure on Moslems by employees of law enforcement bodies has amplified.

Astemir Bzhakhov, a resident of Kabardino-Balkaria, has addressed his application to O. Zharikov, Public Prosecutor of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic (KBR), Russian Ombudsman V. Lukin and the Human Rights Centre "Memorial", which runs, in particular, the following:

"On November 14, 2007, at 11:00 a.m. my house at 114 Nogmova Street, Zolukokoazhe village, Zolskiy District of the KBR was searched by the employees of the Zolskiy ROVD (District Militia). They told me that they were looking for weapons, drugs, etc. During the search, before it was over, at 12:06 a.m. I was taken away to the Zolskiy ROVD... then, to the KBR's UBOP (Department for Fighting Organized Crime).

...During the interrogation at the UBOP, they demanded that I name all the persons whom I know who are doing namaz. They made a video of me, wrote down my passport data and my car license plate.

...They were beating my head with a fist and whipped my face with a thick notebook."

In his application Mr Bzhakhov asks to hold a public prosecutor's investigation and to protect him against this sort of treatment in the future.

Lawyer of the Human Rights Centre Zaur Shakuev made his comments on the situation: "These people never take part in any radical organizations. The only reason to prosecute them is that they are professing Islam. It is already known that this sort of actions of law enforcement bodies made a certain contribution into the events on October 13, 2005. Unfortunately, no lessons have been learnt."