20:38, 15 September 2003

"Large-scale purge" in Staraya Sunzha village

According to local residents' information, Russian military men conducted a regular "large-scale purge" in the village of Staraya Sunzha of the Grozny (rural) district. All the roads leading to the settlement were blocked by armored equipment. The entrance and exit to the village were forbidden categorically.

Servicemen conducted searches in the houses and checked if the people had documents available. 9 local residents, mainly young people of 20-25 years old, were captured and taken away in an unknown direction as a result of this punitive action. Relatives of the detained are unsuccessfully trying to ascertain their whereabouts and further destiny. Family names of the detained are being specified.

Source: Public organization "Chechen National Rescue Committee"