Subject: [CivilSoc] Chechnya-Wide Roadblock Threatened by Argun Citizens
From: Center for Civil Society International (ccsi@u.washington.edu)
Date: Wed Sep 27 2000 - 13:31:18 EDT
This item Xposted from the 9/27/00 news service, "Glasnost-North
Caucasus" <ncic@dialup.ptt.ru>.
ARGUN PEOPLE, "WITH NOTHING TO LOSE," THREATEN BLOCKADE OF ROADS
On Sunday evening, Sept. 24, Russian soldiers sprayed the town of
Argun [ed. note: Argun is 10 km. east of Grozny] with automatic rifle
fire, leaving several victims among the civilian bystanders. On
Monday, a town meeting gathered in the square and the following
resolution was adopted:
To: General Babichev, Military Commandant of Chechen Republic
From: The people of the town of Argun
On the night of Sept. 24, several citizens of Argun were shot dead in
a night attack by Russian soldiers. Among the victims are Taranov
Havazh-Baudin, born 1966, and his wife Rosa, born 1972. Their three
children, Abdulla, born 1996, Madina, born 1991, and Marta, born
1999, were hospitalized for treatment of burns suffered in the
attack. Several homes were also destroyed on Lugovaya St.
This crime adds to the list of clandestine and unwarranted raids
which occur at any time of day or night. These shootings take place
under the pretext of fighting rebels. Shootings normally start after
21.00 and are accompanied by the arrest of Argun civilians. Relatives
of arrested people are forced to wait for days near the Commandant's
Office for any tidbit of information. Our deep concern with this
endless abuse has prompted us to take part in this meeting of Argun
citizens on this day, September 25, 2000.
We demand the following:
1. Immediately halt the shooting, which daily puts our lives at
great risk;
2. Ensure legal protection during police raids and arrests;
specifically, they must be carried out in the presence of officers of
the local Prosecutors Office;
3. Immediately inform the relatives of all arrested individuals about
their location and provide an opportunity for meeting;
4. Investigate the crime committed by Russian soldiers on the night
of Sept. 24 and bring the perpetrators to trial; and then inform the
Argun people of the results of the investigation.
5. Stop the methodical genocide of the Chechen people.
6. Eliminate all checkpoints and provide Chechen citizens freedom of
movement. Prior to eliminating the checkpoints, immediately put a
stop to the endless bribing on the roads.
In our demands are not met, we will block all the main roads of the
Republic.
People of Argun, participants of the meeting
(nearly 200 signatures)
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