• Abstract and Figures
• Public Full-text

MEMORIAL HUMAN RIGHTS CENTER

A report by Human Rights NGOs Observer Mission to the zone of the armed conflict in Chechen Republic

"Memorial" Moscow 1995

2 INTRODUCTION

On December 9, 1994, the Russian President issued a Decree «On Measures on Preventing Illegal Armed Formations Activities in Chechen Republic and in the Zone of Chechen-Ingush Conflict». The Decree instructed the Russian Government «to use all the power of the state to ensure state security, rule of law, basic rights and freedoms of citizens, public order, curb criminal activities and disarm illegal armed formations». Russian Army and Interior Ministry units were deployed in Chechnya amidst resistance of Chechen forces. These events triggered proxy war in the North Caucuses. The authors of this report consider resulting large scale hostilities as internal armed conflict, whose victims are entitled for protection in strict conformity with Common Article 3 of 1949 Geneva Conventions and Additional Protocol II. Reports from the conflict zone about gross violations of humanitarian law and human rights resulted in launching on December 15, 1994 the activities of Russian Human Rights Commissioner Group there. Due to the absence of law on Human Rights Commissioner in Russia, S.A.Kovalev (appointed by State Duma) indeed found himself deprived of rights and powers and was left without staff to operate in the conflict zone. In this situation, a number of Russian human rights NGO’s facilitated the Group’s functioning and delegated its members to work there.1 Since March 1995, Human Rights NGOs’ Observer Mission headed by S.A.Kovalev has functioned in the region, after the State Duma sacked Mr.Kovalev from the post of Human Rights Commissioner. The Mission was initiated by HRC Memorial with representatives from its regional branches (Moscow, St.Petersburg and Ryazan), the Human Rights Project Group and State Duma members working as observers. The Open Society Foundation has provided support.

Since January 1995, Human Rights Commissioner Group and later NGOs’ Observer Mission have been receiving complaints concerning torture and cruel and degrading treatment from persons detained in the conflict zone. They reported about so called filtration camps (FC). On the other hand, Russian officials claimed that persons suspected in fighting against federal forces were treated humanely. Thus, Chief of the General Staff M.Kolesnikov stated that «the prisoners were being treated normally, though from the formal point of view they should have been shot by firing squad as bandits».2 The Group managed to find out that filtration camps were organized on the basis of Russian Interior Ministry Directives No 247/12.12.94 in late 1994 — early 1995 in Mozdok (North Ossetia), Stavropol and Pyatigorsk (Stavropol Region) and later in Grozny to check the identity of those detained, their responsibility for crimes and participation in fighting against the Russian army and interior troops. Filtration camp in Mozdok uses several railway carriages for inmates. In Pyatigorsk and Stavropol these camps are situated in pre-trial detention facilities (PDF). After Russian forces gained control over a major part of Grozny, a filtration camp was also set up there in the last week of January. Initially, it was situated at diary factory and then transferred to administrative quarters of an autotransportation company in the north-eastern part of Grozny. In the course of public investigation of these reports, accumulating testimonies of those who had been taken to FC, as well as direct visits there, the Human Rights Commissioner Group found gross and systematic human rights violations there and made these findings public through several Russian and foreign periodicals. Russian public, press and international organizations’ resulting pressure against mistreatment in detention in FC contributed significantly to certain improvements of conditions in detention, but in general the fate of detainees in the conflict zone is still tragic. The following report is based on:

3 — Testimonies of those who have been detained at FC. (Interviews in Chechen Republic and Ingushetia taken by Human Rights Commissioner Group and NGOs’ Observer Group);

2. WITNESSES’ AND VICTIMS’ REPORTS — ANALYSIS1

Notably, most of the people whose reports are being analysed below were proved not guilty — they were released after investigation. Nevertheless, at least some of them have suffered moral and physical damage. Most testimonies fall in two groups: reports about detentions in January — early February 1995 and reports of those detained in early April in Samashki. Apparently, it was during these periods that detentions assumed mass scale and detainees were most brutally abused. None of the FC staff or investigators ever introduced himself to the detainees. The only exceptions are Mozdok FC chief militia Lt.Col. V.N. Samarin, and later — militia Maj. A.P. Petrov, who used to sign documents given to detainees to the effect that the latter «were being kept in Mozdok FC for identity check up». The first known such case took place only on January 31, 1995 (see: Appendix 2). Before that the detainees upon release were given no certificate at all concerning the fact and reason of their detention. While evaluating the reliability of the detainees’ testimonies it should be noted that:

— Most of them were proved innocent and were released subsequently; — People who do not know each other and who stayed in separate places often speak about the same characteristic details; their reports for the most part coincide though not absolutely; — In some cases, unacquainted people who, according to their words, appeared to be at a FC at the same time, managed to recall during our interviews same fellow detainees; — The dates provided by the detainees concerning their period of detention were confirmed by the corresponding FC records.

The authors believe that this can be regarded as a very serious proof of the reliability of the testimonies.

* * *

A filtration system for detainees has been in force in the conflict zone for more than 5 months. During this period it has become clear whether the real practice reflect initial tasks or not. FC system operates along Interior Ministry (MVD) lines: «Stolypin-type rail carriages, prison cars, PDFs, and, most important, staff investigators and guards. Both methods and style have been transferred from the current investigative and penitentiary practice. But peculiar features of the filtration system can also be seen — those which were not obviously preplanned and not clearly manifest in the preceeding MVD practice.

* * *

The following section presents a summary of typical circumstances of detention, conditions in concentration points, transportation, functioning of FC and investigation.

2.1. DETENTIONS

According to our information, former detainees can be classified as detained:

— in Grozny; — in villages; — at checkpoints in the regions of Chechnya that are only partly controlled by Russian forces;

4 — in the regions under full control of Russian forces (Mozdok, etc.)

2.1.1. Detentions in Grozny

Typical place of detention in Grozny — around a cannery where the assault group of Gen. Rokhlin had its headquarters since January 1. Those detained were for the most part men who had been hiding in nearby bomb shelters. An interviewee’s husband [See: App.1, #4] was detained together with other men in a shelter near the cannery about January 1: «Women were told to go, they detained men». Mataev [ib., 5] was detained on January 2 in a shelter near the cannery where civilians were hiding. All the men, about 30 people, were taken to FC in Mozdok. Meidiev [6] was detained by soldiers in a shelter on January 3 and taken to the cannery. Thus, a special «clean-up» operation was carried out in Grozny around the cannery before January 3 to provide rear suppport for the attacking forces. It included wide scale random detentions of male population and subsequent transportation to FC in Mozdok. This operation has been one of the largest in scale during Chechen war; it can be compared only to a similar operation in Samashki.

* * *

People were detained in the region during the following weeks as well — as «fire spotters» and «fighters». They were also taken to the cannery, which was used as a concentration center and for interrogations. None of these people, however, appears to have been taken prisoner with weapon in hand; testimonies and publications suggest that Russian forces have been following a «no prisoner» tactic. Paragulgov, Khamidov and Nanahaev [2] were hiding in a cellar where they were detained by soldiers as «artillery spotters» on January 1. The soldiers tied Paragulgov to a tree during a mortar attack. Vairaev [3] was detained and beaten by soldiers near the cannery on January 1. Meidiev [6] was beaten at the cannery. They demanded that he should confess being a Dudaev fighter. They were citing Dudaev unit numbers, claiming that he belonged to one of them. Temurziev [8] was detained by the military on January 9 and taken to the cannery. Pliev [14] was detained in the street on January 17 and taken to the cannery. Later some people detained in Grozny were taken directly to FC in Mozdok or other penitentiary institutions.

2.1.2. Detentions in villages

The case of Samashki (when about 150 villagers were taken to FC) was the most serious but not unique. Reports suggest that at least since January, after gaining control over villages, federal forces have resorted to mass detentions, sending detained people to FC. Information on several settlements is given below: Federal forces entered the village of Chervlenaya on January 10 after the villagers had voluntarily disarmed. On January 14, reportedly following a complaint by the villagers about disloyal sentiment towards Russian authorities, threats against the Russians and remaining weapons, several people were detained: Magomet Butsaev, Ruslan Serbeev, Salman Tselikov (42 years, deaf), Katash (37 years, ambulance driver), Yah’ya Beisultanov, Wahid Magomadov, Aslan Ginaev, Sub’yar Daudov, Ali Chadyev (military administration head in Chervlenaya), brothers Ramzan and Beslan Tolsultanov, Khalazhi Gabarov (suffering from epilepsy), Pasha, teenage refugee from Grozny, son of Radziyat Ilyasova. Butsaev along with others detained in Chervlenaya, except Ginaev, were released on January 24; Ginaev was released two days later

5 [13]. A similar operation took place in Naurskaya and Isherskaya on January 16, 142 pieces of small arms and more than 100 hand grenades being surrended the day before. In the course of this interior troops operation, 9 villagers were killed, 23 taken to FC. Engenoev brothers may have been among them [11]. There were numerous cases of pillage, and 4 houses were blown up. (V.Emelyanenko, «After йCasual Strollк. What’s Going on in Victors’ Rear?», Moscow News, January 22, 1995.) Coinciding dates of detention suggest that around January 18 the same happened to the village of Assinovskaya.

Tsomaev [15] was detained in Assinovskaya on January 18; on January 26, he and several other detainees were exchanged for Russian soldiers. The Kaurgashvili brothers [16] were detained in their house in Assinovskaya on January 19. Chitaev [17] was detained in his house in Assinovskaya (also about January 18). Eight days later the whole cell was unexpectedly released.

Thus, the investigation of villagers’ cases was carried simultaneously, frequently resulting in their release. This also proves that detentions were of mass and random character. There are reports about similar operations in other villages which were under control of federal forces in January — February.

* * *

The most large scale operation was carried out in Samashki on April 7-8. Part of the villagers tried to escape before the «cleans-up» operation. They were detained at a checkpoint between Samashki and Sernovodsk (see next section) despite the fact that many had identity documents. Iziev [35] was detained on April 7 «together with other men»; some of them were later released. On April 8, «all men were detained — 12 people aged 56-16" [36]. Mostly, people were detained in the village on April 8 [32], [38], etc. Again the soldiers ignored presented passports and registration; Habuev‘s [36] passport was torn up at the time of detention. The number of detained totalled about 150. Details of repression in Samashki will be the subject of a separate report.

2.1.3. Detentions at checkpoints

There are reports about such detentions at the villages of Isherskaya, Assinovskaya, etc. However, most reports originate from people detained at the checkpoint between Sernovodsk and Samashki. Ugurchiev [12] was detained at a Russian checkpoint near Sernovodsk on January 12. Audiotapes were used as a pretext; tapes and recorder were confiscated. Mikail Musaevich Chaniev and Magomed Isropilovich Chaniev [18] were detained at a checkpoint near Sernovodsk on January 23. Idrisov [19], who was riding in his car, was detained together with them (he mentioned Chanievs as Chilievs). No grounds for detention were presented, the case was not recorded formally. Uniformed people beat and threatened to kill Idrisov. He saw other people being beaten and burnt with cigarette butts. Apparently, that same day another man was detained there [20] (reports date it to January 24, but numerous correlations suggest otherwise). No grounds for detention were presented, the case was not recorded formally. He saw 11 more detainees at the checkpoint. (For their reports see the section «Transportation by helicopters».) While driving home from work, Hidiev [21], deputy procurator of Sunzha district (Ingushetia), was also detained at the same place near Samashki by interior troops on the night of January 27. He showed his identity papers but was handcuffed and kept for 24 hours in a bus; he

6 was then released. There are examples of totally random detentions at checkpoints:

That same day Mutaliev was detained [by another post?] when he was going by bus to Nazran. The bus was stopped at an MVD special force checkpoint. An officer ordered all young men out; the men were searched, taken to a trailer and declared marauders. (However, when they were brought to Mozdok their disembarkation was accompanied by words: «Here are captured fighters».)

It should be noted that some detentions at checkpoints were not as random or unmotivated. For example, three villagers from Assinovskaya — Abdulaev [26], Shamsudinov [28] and Baisarov [27] — were detained on February 20, 21 and 24 respectively because they were carrying outdated 5 and 10 rouble notes. Notably, Shamsudinov was the only man detained in the bus, and Baisarov was told that the note was a password. It is likely that the soldiers received specific instructions how to detect fighters. However, the percentage of random, unmotivated and mass detentions was relatively high, as in Grozny and in the villages.

2.2. CONDITIONS IN CONCENTRATION CENTERS

The first concentration center was actually set up at the cannery (during cleaning out shelters before January 5 and later, when the fighting started. Besides accumulating detainees for transportation, investigation was also carried there; many detainees became victims of unmotivated, irrational violence. One of the Generals at the HQ took part in the beating of Paragulgov and Khamidov [2] on January 2. They were threatened to be executed by firing squad. Vairaev [3] spent two days at the cannery. Meidiev [6] was beaten at the cannery; they demanded that he should confess being a Dudaev fighter. They were citing Dudaev units numbers, claiming that he belonged to one of them. Temurziev [8], detained by soldiers on January 9, when brought to the cannery was tied to a pole and passing soldiers beat him, hit with knives, burned him with cigarette butts. Pliev [14], detained on January 17, was kept at the cannery with 13 other people in harsh conditions for 36 hours.

* * *

Later, concentration centers were used mainly to accumulate detainees from villages and checkpoints before transporting them to FC — sometimes for up to 3 days. Since federal forces could sometimes control the territory only within the dislocation of its units, concentration centers were frequently located at interior troops garrisons. For example, according to Butsaev [13], people who were detained in Chervlenaya on January 14 were taken to a nearby federal forces base and placed in prison cars. They were beaten. On January 15 and 16, the detainees were forced to stay in the open motionless on their knees with hands tied behind; they were all the time cursed and insulted; those who moved were beaten. They were laid in a trench and threatened with death by being buried alive.

Nevertheless,

7 a guard shift commander, a soldier called Sergei, treated the detainees humanely. He gave them cigarettes, hot tea, helped them stand up and made them move — those who were nearly paralyzed from many hours of standing on the knees during the previous shift.

The detainees were taken for interrogation one by one. As a rule, up to April no investigation was carried out in concentration centers despite the fact that detainees were kept there for quite a long period of time. One of the exceptions was Jamulaev [25], a Sunzha district militia officer, detained on February 9 near Samashki. Instead of FC, he was taken to a federal forces base at Assinovskaya; he was beaten there, they demanded that he should show the location of «Ingush fighters».

* * *

This practice went on through February-March up to early April, when conditions at FC improved relatively. Below follow the reports of two people: one was brought to FC from a concentration point on March 25 and the other witnessed the arrival of this group of detainees. Sekudin, a villager from Assinovskaya [30]:

They brought us «to some base», placed in an auto repair car: like solitary cell — you can neither lie, nor sit. I spent three days there. There were more people in other cells. You have a bandage on your eyes, hands tied, see nothing, hear nothing. No food, only water once a day. At night — midnight, 1 a.m. — they take you out, beat you, throw you back into the car half dead. Eyes bandaged, you can’t see how many they are, what they are doing. Took you out several times, beat you, burned you with cigarette butts. They took half of the clothes, took the money from my pocket.

Davletukaev [29]:

Most people — from a checkpoint at the crossroads in Samashki. Before taking detainees to Mozdok FC they were keeping them in a car at an MVD unit base. Without food, naked — up to 3 days. They were beaten, the last group, around March 24-25, was very heavily beaten, one elderly man (68 years) was tortured with a blow lamp. Those brought to FC were no longer beaten, they were provided medical care. If compared with this it’s like heaven at FC.

Following is a brief summary of known concentration centers based on various reports.

2.2.1. Samashki area

The concentration center was organized on April 8 at an army base’s former shooting range in the hills of the Sunzha mountains, several kilometers north of Samashki, in the course of the interior troops operation to enter the village. There were 134 detainees there [37]. They were forced to lie on the ground, and sorting out began. They set dogs on the lying people [32,33]. According to Arsaev [38], it was not done deliberately: the soldiers were just walking with the dogs among the detainees (it is possible that the soldiers were trying to detect people who smelled weapons — authors). Some people («big men» [36]) were taken aside, beaten and set upon by dogs. All this was overseen by a General who had previously participated in negotiations with Samashki residents at a checkpoint on the road to Sernovodsk.

2.2.2. Assinovskaya area

8 The detainees from Samashki were brought to a concentration center at an army base near Assinovskaya. Iziev [35]:

On April 7, we were taken out near Assinovskaya and brought to some hole. There was a prison car there; we were placed in this car. There were already 3 men, heavily beaten. In the car the detainees could take bandages off, but any time the doors were open their eyes had to be bandaged again.

Habuev [36]:

The detainees were kept in earth holes. Their eyes were bandaged, they were not allowed to raise their heads; under threat of beating and by throwing stones they were forced to stay motionless for long periods of time. The soldiers used to come down and beat the detainees. * * *

Investigation was also carried out at concentration centers. Iziev [35] was taken from the car for interrogations with his eyes bandaged. The interrogations were carried out in another hole nearby. Beatings were routine during interrogations, mainly on the kidneys and in the chest. They were forcing out a confession that the detainee was a fighter, demanded to show where he had hidden his weapons, etc. According to Iziev, the interrogators were saying, «There shouldn’t be the word »no". You are all Chechens — you must all have weapons." They were suggesting signing some document, not telling its contents. Torture with electric current was also applied. They attached wire to the detainee’s neck, someone would shout «turn», and an electric shock followed. Once the wire was placed into the mouth. Iziev had burns on his neck. He lost consciousness several times during the interrogations. This report about torture with electric current is the first after a long pause. Previous reports were connected with interrogations at Mozdok FC in January. Iziev witnessed how other people were taken out of the car for interrogations; they came back beaten. The detainees were given neither food, nor water. However, the interrogations were of a strange and random nature. Besides stereotype demands to give in the weapons and confess being a fighter, there were questions like, «Where is Dudaev? Which routes does he move along?» [33] The villagers from Samashki could hardly know the answer. The majority of those detained on April 8 were taken on trucks to Mozdok. On April 9, Habuev together with 28 other detainees were put into a truck. They were forced to make all the way to the truck on their hands and knees along the line of soldiers, who were beating them and setting dogs. They were told that they would be shot. The truck took them to the Sunzha mountain range between Samashki and Sernovodsk. There the detainees were released; they were let free in their choice to go to either village. [36] Apparently, the aim of this procedure was to break and threaten the people — even before their release.

2.2.3. Shali area

There are also similar concentration centers in other districts. On April 8, a mentally retarded young man left his home and never returned. The man who reported the story [40] found out that he had been detained and taken to the 506th Mechanised Brigade base where detainees were kept in earth holes. Brigade officers claimed that the young man (the reporter’s nephew) was detained with a

9 grenade launcher. Apparently, this center is still operating. Here is the latest report available: A villager from Shali [41] was detained at a checkpoint because of «invalid identity» on May 15. They put a bandage on his eyes, put him into an APC and brought him to a troop base near Shali, where he was kept in a hole 2 by 3 meters along with about 20 people. After 18 hours he was released without a single interrogation. The victim reported extortion on the part of the guards, who had been offering release for money. Corruption at concentration centers appears to be natural result of their uncontrolled and vague status. Situated at army bases beyond control and verification, concentration centers became in February-March the site of the most irrational violence and cruel and degrading acts against the detainees, making them fully dependent on the guards’ will.

2.3. TRANSPORTATION OF DETAINEES TO FC

2.3.1. Transportation by trucks

Initially, detainees were brought from concentration centers to FC by trucks. The largest group was transported around January 3, when detainees from the cannery area were taken to FC. (See: 2.1.1) The guard placed people in such a way that it rendered escape physically impossible, and inhuman conditions en route discouraged the detainees from the very thought of escape. We have numerous reports about this convoy. Vairaev, January 3 [3]:

There were 63 people in the truck. On the way two died of suffocation; six were shot right there in the truck. Their bodies made all the way to Mozdok. They were beating us all the time.

A detainee’s wife [4]:

When people were taken from Grozny to Mozdok they were loaded in several layers in the truck, and they suffocated.

Mataev [5] witnessed detainees’ death in the trucks on the way from Grozny to Mozdok:

Some were shot by the guards, others, who were lying on the floor, suffocated.

No doubt, reported killings and deaths of detainees on the way from Grozny to Mozdok on January 3 must be investigated. The same practice was followed even when people could have been accomodated more comfortably. For example, one of the victims [3] reported that around January 10, 18 people were transported «in piles». On January 19 Pliev [14] and 13 other detainees were transported by trucks to Mozdok FC.

* * *

Finally, road accidents also occured. on January 27, when Mutaliev [22] was being transported together with other detainees from the checkpoint to a helicopter site.

The car which was transporting 33 people was driven by a drunk officer and soldier. After about 200 meters the car overturned, many people got injured. The rest, 25 detainees, were taken to the helicoptercopter site and put into the aircraft.

10 Beginning in late January — early February, detainees were transported to Mozdok mainly by helicopters.

* * *

Another case of transportation of a large number of detainees on trucks was connected with counterinsurgency operation in the village of Samashki. Shamsaev [37]:

Sixty-eight people were sent to Mozdok FC. When the detainees were taken to the trucks they were led «through the line»; they were beaten and set upon by dogs. Many got bitten. A group of detainees, including Arsaev, was led to the trucks. The soldiers started beating people heavily and set dogs on them. Arsaev was bitten twice, he got several blows and lost concsiousness. [38]

Suleimanov [34]:

People were loaded into the truck in four layers and covered with boards; the soldiers sat over them and the trucks started off somewhere.

Arsaev [38] recovered in the truck where the detainees were lying in four layers.

2.3.2. Transportation by helicopters

The number of federal forces’ checkpoints in Chechnya did not provide sufficient territorial control for transportation of detainees. For example, when Davletukaev was being transported on an APC to Mozdok around March 10, the crowd stopped the convoy and released the detainees by force. [30] Beginning in the second half of January, when the number of transported detainees was the largest, they were mainly transported by helicopters.

* * *

Helicopters were used to transport detainees from newly captured villages (see: Detentions in the villages). According to Butsaev [13], a group of detainees from Chervlenaya was put in a helicopter and taken to Mozdok on January 16. People were laid in three layers. Those who moved were beaten. Upon arrival to Mozdok military airport Ali Chadyev was heavily beaten right near the aircraft, because the guard said he was a «Dudaev special force commander». On January 18, Tsomaev [15], Chitaev [17] and other detainees from Assinovskaya were transported by helicopter to Mozdok area; they were constantly beaten on the way.

* * *

Detainees were also transported by helicopters from FC for exchange. On January 22-23 (approximately), Pliev [14] was taken by helicopter with a group of detainees for exchange for Russian POWs, but the deal failed. On January 26 Tsomaev [15] and a group of detainees were taken by helicopter to Khasavurt where they were exchanged for Russian POWs.

* * *

11 At the same period helicopters started being used for transportation of detainees from checkpoints to FC. The procedure was cruel: people with their eyes bandaged were laid uncomfortably in several layers and heavily beaten. Collective disobedience would cause much more grave consequences in aircrafts rather than in ground vehicles. Cruel treatment — uncomfortable positions and constant beatings — apparently had the aim to enforce discipline. The guards may have been motivated by the same reason when they killed detainees during the flight or imitated killings: people could not make it out because their eyes were bandaged. We have two reports on the matter [19] and [20]. On January 23 or 24, Idrisov [19] and about 30 other detainees were brought by helicopter to Mozdok FC. The detaines had bandages on their eyes. They were heavily beaten in the helicopter. According to Idrisov, one detainee was killed and his body thrown out of the helicopter (or may be this was only an imitation). Apparently, that same day another detainee was brought to Mozdok by helicopter. According to the witness, two detainees were killed and their bodies thrown out of the helicopter (or may be this was only an imitation). All detainees were threatened with death. Reported killings of detainees transported to Mozdok on board the helicopter on January 23 or 24 must be investigated.

* * *

On January 27, Mutaliev [22] along with 25 detainees who survived the road accident (see: Transportation by trucks) were taken to a helicopter site and put into an aircraft. Inside everyone was laid on the floor and beating started. The detainees were also robbed (100 000 roubles were taken from Mutaliev). Disembarkment in Mozdok was accompanied by the words, «We have brought captured fighters». Again the detainees were beaten.

* * *

Below follow two other reports about the same group. On January 29, Chekiev [23], who was detained at Assinovskaya, was brought by helicopter together with other detainees to Mozdok. During the flight the detainees were threatened with being thrown out of the helicopter.

Batashev [24], who was detained on the same day at the same place, was thrown to the truck with his eyes bandaged and taken to the airport at Sleptsovskaya. They broke his nose with a club before putting him into the helicopter, threw him into a mud ditch left by tank with his hands tied, broke his jaw with a rifle butt and threatened to kill. Batashev was brought to Mozdok FC by helicopter and again beaten upon arrival.

* * *

This practice remained mostly unchanged. There are similar reports pertaining to February: Abdulaev [26] was detained at a checkpoint near Assinovskaya on February 20. Two detainees were driven in a jeep to a small wagon in the field; there were already two people there. They were brought to Mozdok by helicopter; before boarding they were beaten. From the helicopter they were brought to FC by car.

... and March:

Sekudin [30]:

12 On the evening March 25, six people with eyes bandaged were put into helicopters on the floor, the guards sitting over, and taken to Mozdok. In the Mozdok airport they were thrown out of the helicopter and beaten ferociously, then put into a car and brought to the carriages.

2.3.3. Transportation on foot

Transportation of large groups of detainees on foot was a rare case; however, in one known case the guards acted with utmost cruelty. On April 8, male detainees in Samashki were brought to a bakery; they were forced to take off clothes, except trousers, and shoes. Then, surrounded by several armoured vehicles, they were forced to go to the «camp» (the villagers refer to an army unit base at a former shooting stand in the hills of the Sunzha mountain range, several kilometers north of the village). People were made to run; those who fell behind were kicked and beaten with rifle butts. [32-37] The character of this operation suggest possible killing of one or more detainees by the guards: According to Suleimanov [33],

Those who fell behind were shot; the soldiers made the detainees put stretchers with a wounded man on the ground and shot him [he was not an eyewitness to that]. We were beaten on the way.

According to Habuev [36],

People were beaten on the way, they shot a wounded man who was carried on a stretcher by relatives [he was not an eyewitness to the execution].

Arsaev [38] reported that

One wounded villager [Albi Shamsaev, nickname Dudu] was carried in the convoy by his brother and cousins. The guards forced the men to put the stretcher on the ground when still in the village, near the railway station. After that there was a shot: the witness suggested that the wounded had been killed. According to him, those who fell behind and fell on the ground were shot.

According to Shamsaev [37],

On April 7, his elder brother was wounded during an artillery attack. On April 8, the witness and his brother were detained in their house. Along with others, they were taken to an army base several kilometers north of Samashki. On the way the soldiers shot his brother.

Reported deaths of detainees during transportation on foot from Samashki on April 8 must be investigated.

2.4. FILTRATION CAMP

We have practically no information on Mozdok FC for the period of December 1994. Most likely, «mercenaries» were held there — the Jordanians who had been detained in Mozdok in mid December. (See: S.A.Kovalev’s press-conference on 5.1.95 at 16.00, Izvestia conference hall, Moscow.) The first interviewee (Israilov [1]) was brought there on January 25, when 4 people were held in one car of Mozdok FC. But main points of his testimony were confirmed by dozens of interviewees.

13 2.4.1. Investigation

The media has devoted much space to describing methods of distingushing fighters (rifle butt bruises on the shoulder, trigger signs on the forefinger, burnt powder, etc):

A Moscow OMON group, which has taken our photo correspondent for a «cleaning up» operation, is acting professionally. The first detained youngster is forcibly seated on the ground. «Roll up your trousers,» orders the commander of the group. The guy has a bruise on the knee: the professional mark of a grenade launcher. Another mark, slightly burnt skin behind the ear, is a result of shooting exercises. There will be FC and a criminal case. Hundreds and thousands of cases.

(A. Zheludkov, Scars on Fates, Izvestia, 22.3.95; picture taken by V.Mashatin.)

However, only one victim (Mutaliev [22] at FC on January 27-31) reported such check at FC. The questions of interrogators were usually of a general and stereotype character: «Were you a fighter, whom of the fighters do you know?» It appears that the interrogator may have not had information on the detainee. The guards, however, called all detainees «fighters». General absense, as mentioned above, of reliable information before detainment and expertise after has made confession the main objective of the investigation. Confession is forced out by traditional means. Almost all detainees were heavily beaten at FC. More sophisticated torture was also applied. According to Paragulgov [2], they cut feet of Hasan Hamidov with a bayonet knife and burned him with cigarette butts (before January 5). Detainee [9] reported about «pressing fingers with pliers» (before January 15). Most reports about torture with electric current at Mozdok FC date to January (Jamalhanov [16]: between January 16 and 26; Butsaev [13]: on January 18; Tsomaev [15] and Chitaev [17]: after January 18; Pliev [14]: around January 20). There is a report about death of a detainee as a a result of torture and beatings. Around April 14, a Russian man Albert Kul’kov, apparently mentally ill, was brought to FC (the intreviewee could not recall his name exactly). He was heavily beaten; they wanted him to confess being a sniper. After the interrogation he was brought to the carriage unconscious, apparently with his neck spine injured. He stayed unconscious for 24 hours; then, according to the guards, he was taken to hospital. [35] There are many reports that beatings and torture were carried out, as a rule, either by the staff or people in masks. Investigators usually were polite and thoroughly put everything on record. In other cases, the investigator did not take part in the beatings, staying for this time in another part of the investigation carriage. Iziev heard similar things happening in adjacent compartments. The questions were all the same as before; besides, they suggested signing a document without reading it, or confession that it had been the fighters who started shooting from the village. [35]

2.4.2. Conditions in detention

Cruel treatment of detainees was a general rule. They were routinely beaten upon arrival to FC. Treatment could improve subsequently, but it largely depended on the stuff on shift. For example, Butsaev [13]:

The guards beat detainees with clubs every time when they were taken to the toilet. They were given 6 to 10 seconds. [January 14-27]

14 Mutaliev [22]:

The guards at FC beat people only when taking them to the toilet. [January 27-31]

Davletukaev [29]:

Treatment largely depends on the shift on duty; some give only 5 seconds to attend your needs: to enter toilet from that end, do everything in five seconds and run there back — it’s impossible. [March — early April]

However, according to many reports, after uproar in the press and subsequent replacement of staff, treatment improved considerably. Food also improved, upon request they started giving water and taking to the toilet. Medical care was obviously inadequate.

[35] Medical care was limited to a military doctors general examination; he used to give iodine and one tablet for all diseases. When a man told him about broken ribs he just gave bandage for the guy to do it himself. [38] A doctor used to come to the carriage and examine the detainees on request: he was applying iodine to dog bites and bruises from beatings, not registering such injuries.

FC was visited by various commissions.

[38]: ICRC representatives visited FC between April 10 and 14. Before the visit the guards were threating the detainees, trying to prevent their complaints, «They will go and you will stay here.»

Release procedure was usually routine; thus, in December:

Israilov [1] was released; he signed a no grievance statement. He was not given any certificate concerning his stay at FC.

And in April:

Arsaev [38] was released on April 14, he was given a no grievance statement to sign. * * *

In general, mass filtration system (having failed to fulfill its main objective — sorting out fighters) has become a trial ground for mass terror system, with the following features:

— people are detained at random; — physical pressure is the main method and confession is the main aim of the investigation; — cruel treatment during detention, transportation and at FC.

3. INFORMATION OBTAINED DURING VISITS TO FCs AND PDFs

3.1. INFORMATION OBTAINED DURING VISITS TO MOZDOK AND GROZNY FCS BY THE GROUR OF RUSSIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSIONER (FEBRUARY 24-26, 1995)

On February 24-26, 1995, Russian Human Rights Commissioner Group (RHRCG) visited Mozdok and Grozny to review the situation at FC. Previously, in January and February, the Commissioner and/or his Group members 15 (including representatives of Memorial) attempted to get to Mozdok FC thrice, but were ignored or hindered by the officials. For example, on January 17 and 18, representatives of the Procuracy (Russian Deputy Procurator General V.S.Uzbekov and Deputy Chief Military Procurator Lt-Gen Nosov) refused to meet the Commissioner in Mozdok; at the army headquarters he was directly threatened with physical repression; Russian interior troops Deputy Commander S.F.Kavun refused to discuss the topic, citing the necessity of exclusive permission from the Minister of the Interior. In the second half of February, Main Department for Execution of Punishment, Russian Ministry of the Interior, (GUIN) head Iu.I.Kalinin declared that the Ministry agreeds to provide S.A.Kovalev, as the Russian Human Rights Commissioner, the opportunity to visit FC at Mozdok and Grozny. The Group consisted of Russian Human Rights Commissioner S.A.Kovalev, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Presidential Human Rights Commission S.V.Sirotkin, member of the Commission N.G.Okhotin, Memorial representative A.Iu.Blinushov.

3.1.1. Visit to Mozdok FC

RHRCG arrived in Mozdok on February 24. But, according to Russian Interior Ministry public relations group chief Col. Vorozhtsov, prison carriages used as Mozdok FC premises were sent for refuelling and water supply refill. (Judging by FC officials’ slips, later it became clear that the carriages had not been sent anywhere.) FC location was surrounded by OMON checkpoints. On February 25, the Group arrived at Lukovskaya station accompanied by GUIN deputy head V.I.Orlov (about 6 kilometers from Mozdok). Col. Vorozhtsov refused to grant accompanying journalists access to FC, referring to the top secret status of the site. However, a VoenTV (Military TV) correspondent went with the Group on the initiative of Mr. Vorozhtsov. Mozdok FC consisted of three prison cars (two for detainees, one for interrogation) and one HQ carriage. Carriages for the staff were located nearby. At the time of visit there were 14 detainees at the FC. As the Group managed to learn, Mozdok FC had changed its location at least twice. Initially (in January), FC carriages were parked in Mozdok station cargo area near coal warehouses also used as FC quarters. Then the carriages were moved towards Lukovskaya. FC administration based this by security concerns. RHRCG carried out primary review of the FC premises talking to the detainees briefly and distributing question lists; it was agreed that the group would also examine FC documents. But further actions were blocked by a group of people at FC carriages pretending to be cossak representatives. They were accompanied by a Soviet Russia Mozdok correspondent, but none of them was wearing cossak uniform. These people were carrying an insulting poster. The group had to join a discussion which lasted until its departure from Mozdok FC. The fact that there was no guard at the time of these people appearing at the «top secret site» suggests that this was organized by the MVD press-service.

* * *

RHRCG visited FC again on February 26. Its members talked to the detainees, looked into FC documents, talked to FC authorities and collected question lists from 12 detainees (Ganukaev and Jamaldinov refused to answer). Upon request from the detainees, three of them met RHRCG members in the absence of FC authorities. All the detainees at FC (except Abu-Sunyan Salautdinovich Yamsuev) were detained between January 31 and February 24 at Assinovskaya, in Mozdok, at a checkpoint between Samashki and Sernovodsk, etc. (See Appendix 3) Yamsuev was detained in Grozny on January 9, brought to Mozdok FC, then, on January 16,

16 to Pyatigorsk FC, then to Stavropol PDF. On February 9, he was taken back to Mozdok together with all other detainees. As far back as in 1994, a criminal case was opened against Yamsuev in connection with a road accident (he fled then), that is why he stayed so long in FC being actually arrested and not detained. All the 12 detainees who answered to the quiestion lists were detained without weapons. Grounds for detention: identity check — 7 people; not having identity papers — 1 person; suspicion of forged identity — 1 person; not having permanent registration — 1 person; being wanted — 1 person (Yamsuev); unmotivated — 1 person. 3 people complained about beatings at the moment of detainment; 2 people complained about brutal treatment and appaling conditions during transportation to FC; 2 people complained about illegal confiscation of money and valuables after detainment. Currently, there are no complaints about conditions at FC; one complaint about beatings (the guards beat at night when drunk) — a mask was found in the man’s cell, he claimed that it was dropped by one of the people who beat him. One detainee, who may have had a serious injury, declined confidential talk, apparently, under pressure from the authorities. After talks with the detainees and FC authorities it became clear that the former did not receive medical care and were refused walks. Group members have checked FC registration papers in search of people known to have been detained or kept at FC. All the names were found in the registration book. Furthermore, the timing coincided with RHRCG’s information obtained from the victims.

* * *

Mozdok FC was set up in early January 1995; by February 26 a total of 343 people had been taken through the camp. Of them 215 were released to go to their residential address. 68 people were released for subsequent exchange for Russian POWs. 46 people were transported to Stavropol, Pyatigorsk and Moscow PDF; 38 of them were sent back to Mozdok FC on February 12-14. At the same time, according to information from Pyatigorsk PDF, 77 people were transported there from Mozdok FC. The obvious contradiction can be explained by mistakes in the registration book. For example, one of the 38 people who were brought back to Mozdok FC from Stavropol had been registered as released and not transported to Stavropol. According to examined documents, in the last week of January the average term of detention in FC was:

— for released to go to the residential address — 4-7 days; — for released for the purpose of exchange — 10-14 days; — for transported to other places of detention — 14-20 days; — for those who were brought back to FC after PDF — 30-45 days. * * *

FC administration failed to provide any documents concerning legal status of the camp. RHRCG could not find any documents justifying detentions before January 24, 1995. The only documentary proof of people being brought to FC during that period is a thin exercise book containing a list of 204 people, checked before January 24. The entries are very brief and do not explain reasons, circumstances and exact place of detention as well as detainees’ residential address. In general, for the period ending January 24, one can’t speak even about imitated legitimacy of detention in FC. Since January 24, full names, detention and release (transportation to PDF) dates, dates and places of birth, place of detention, residential addresses, taken valuables and checkup results have been documented. In general, at the time of visit to FC the registration book provided necessary identification information.

17 For the same period there are also detention protocols. But they are obviously written afterwards all alike referring to the Presidential Decree «On measures to prevent vagrancy and begging» dated 2.11.93. It is disregarded, however, that many detainees had identity papers with them. Medical examination of detainees brought to FC was not carried out untill end of January. However, no resulting papers were written at the time of the visit to FC either. Thus, initially there were no doctors, no medical workers, no papers; and in early February a medical worker appeared at FC, and made entries about the detainees’ health to the book, but still there are no health certificates for the arriving detainees. FC administration effective at the time of visit has been functioning since January 24-26. The guards were also replaced at that time. All this staff was sent to Mozdok from various parts of Russia. Before that, it had been members of Ryazan OMON (Interior Ministry special force) performing the functions of the administration and guard. It is important that this unit was reportedly transferred from the frontline in Grozny. This staff change in late January has brought considerable changes in treatment of detainees and documenting the process at Mozdok FC. Since that time there have been no reports of torture in Mozdok. Conditions of detentions have also improved slightly: in February there were no complaints about scarce food and water typical for those who were being detained in the FC in January. As we had expected, the Group failed to find any documentary confirmation of reports about beatings and torture at Mozdok FC, received from former detainees.

3.1.2. Visit to Grozny FC (25.2.95)

Due to MVD officials position the visit was of a very general nature, since it had been obviously made difficult to get there to make shorter the time of the visit proper. At the time of the visit, Grozny FC was located in the administrative building of an auto transportation company in the north-eastern part of Grozny (close to the Khankala airport). Previously, one of the buildings near the diary plant had been used. Detainees are kept in the cellar separated by metal bars, without heat (like in the other parts of the city), or light. The detainees were kept in complete darkness. As we have learned, soon after the RHRCG visit a generator was installed in the building providing light for the whole of it. Upper floors were used for investigation and as barracks for the guards. Because of little time available the Group failed to examine FC papers. According to the authorities, Grozny FC was set up in the last week of January; nearly 200 people have gone through it. At the time of visit there were three detainees at the FC: two Russian soldiers charged with criminal offence against civilians (rape and murder) and one Russian man detained in Grozny with false identity of an MVD official. According to previous reports, there were 29 detainees at the FC on February 23 (reported by V.Vorozhtsov, also documented on video tape by MVD press-center). According to one of the guards who claimed anonymity, in the morning of February 25 a group of teenage detainees (about 30 people) was taken out of the FC in an Ural truck to unknown destination. In reply to the question about their whereabouts GUIN Deputy Head V.I.Orlov told that they must have been delivered to eight newly established Grozny district military administrations which were to deal with the primary checkup of persons detained in Grozny.

* * *

There is no information confirming the rumours about other FC exept for the ones in Grozny, Mozdok and at Pyatigorsk and Stavropol PDF. In several isolated cases detainees were sent to Vladikavkas PDFs. Thus, it can be concluded that total amount of people who were taken to FC in the conflict zone was about several hundred as of late February; this figure does not

18 contradict with official statistics. It should be taken into consideration, however, that some detainees could have been kept for up to several days in various Grozny military administrations or concentration centers before transportation to FC (for example, at the checkpoint between Samashki and Sernovodsk or near Assinovskaya).

3.2. INFORMATION RESULTING FROM THE VISITS TO PYATIGORSK AND MOZDOK FC BY RUSSIAN STATE DUMA MEMBERS V.V.BORSCHEV AND IU.A.RYBAKOV (3-5.3.95)

Stavropol and Pyatigorsk FC were established by the order of Stavropol Regional Interior Ministry Command Chief, Militia Maj-Gen V.P.Medveditsky:

ON SETTING UP FILTRATION CAMPS

In accordance with the request of the MVD Operational HQ in the Chechen Republic and for the purpose of identification and verification of the degree of participation of persons detained in the combat zone in committing crimes and their participation in fighting against the army and interior troops on the basis of the Russian MVD regulations 247 dated 12.12.94 order to: 1. Set up temporarily filtration camps at SIZO 1 and SIZO 2 SIDISR UVD for the persons brought from Chechnya to be kept separately. 2. Those responsible for implementing this order should be SIZO 1 chief Militia Col. I.P.Sobolev and SIZO 2 chief Militia Col. B.A.Petrov. Stavropol Regional Interior Ministry Command Chief Militia Maj-Gen V.P.Medveditsky During the interviews with Pyatigorsk PDF chief Col. B.A.Petrov and PDF staff as well as in the course of document review it finally became clear that there had been three portions of detainees brought to this FC at Pyatigorsk PDF from Mozdok FC. 46 people were brought on January 6, 24 — on January 11, 7 — on January 16 (for list of detainees see Appendix 4). According to the primary medical examination book, medical worker Maksimenko, having examined the detainees brought on January 6, noted only that: Kasaev (see below) had his left leg broken; Abuev had a fragmentation wound in the back of his head. The detainees brought on January 11 were examined by medical worker Brazhnichenko who noted that five people had black-eyes and bruises on the shoulders and all had bruisers on the back from clubs. There was no chance of meeting Brazhnichenko since he had been transferred in February. Medical worker Antonov who examined the detainees brought on January 16 mentioned only that detainee Ismailov had a fragmentation wound in his right hip. Umar Bautdinovich Kasaev, born in 1931, brought to FC on January 6, died on January 10 at PDF. Prison hospital papers suggest heart attack as his cause of death. However, when on January 7 Kasaev was given medical treatment it was documented that he had numerous bruises on his chest, a bruise on the back of his head and that his left leg was broken.1 «According to Kasaev», these injuries were recorded as a result of a log having fallen over him on December 30, 1994. It should be noted that no bruises were mentioned in the primary medical examination record. Kasaev‘s death case was investigated by a senior investigator of the Pyatigorsk city Procuracy, V.P.Khlystun. Having been told by Kasaev‘s cellmates and PDF staff that there were no clashes in the cell and Kasaev was not beaten, V.P.Khlystun was quite satisfied, terminated the investigation and preferred not to open a criminal case.

* * *

There are also prison hospital records of the same PDF concerning complaints of Ruslan Abdurahmanovich Hajiev (see testimonies of Paragulgov, Hamidov and Ugurchiev) about his

19 sight problems and headache. On January 19 out of 77 detainees at Pyatigorsk PDF-2 FC, 67 people were transported to Stavropol PDF-1 FC (see Appendix 5), 6 people were released (see Appendix 4) following a letter from Federal Executive Bodies in Chechen Republic Office chief I.Agarkov (see Appendix 6), 1 person died and 3 detainees, according to Pyatigorsk PDF chief, were transported to Moscow PDFs because of the criminal cases opened against them. During visit to Stavropol PDF (SIZO-1) it became clear that the detainees transported there from Pyatigorsk were taken back to Mozdok FC in the first half of February. Several detainees, including I.M.Ugurchiev and R.A.Hajiev (due to poor health), were released and some were transported to Moscow PDFs because of the criminal cases opened against them.

* * *

While trying to clarify the legal status of detainees in Pyatigorsk and Stavropol FC it became clear that partly they had been detained on the basis of the Decree on prevention vagrancy and begging (see Appendix 7) but some detainees had been brought without any formal records. Some of the detainment warrants lacked dates of issue or detention, signature of the detainee certifying that he had been acquainted with the warrant. Moreover, the Presidential Decree’s title was wrongly quoted in these hand-written warrants. PDF chiefs explained accepting non-documented detainees by referring to the orders of their superiors, namely Maj-Gen V.P.Medveditsky. Pyatigorsk city Procurator in meeting with State Duma members claimed that there were no violations in Pyatigorsk PDF against detainees from the conflict zone. He was referring to the Russian President Decree 2166 dated December 9, 1994, «On Measures on Prevention Illegal Armed Formations Activities in Chechen Republic and in the Zone of the Ingush-Ossetian Conflict», Government decisions, Russian Interior Ministry regulation on establishing FC in the conflict zone, and the corresponding order of the Stavropol Regional Interior Ministry Command Chief. Meanwhile, according to journalist L.Leontieva (Moscow News, N 11, 12-19.2.95), Stavropol Deputy Procurator P.Grigoriev told in an interview on January 27 that the «PDF chief had no right to accept people brought to him without any procedural papers, first of all an imprisonment warrant, which, according to the Russian Criminal Procedure Code, can be issued only by a procurator. However, Sobolev conceded that there were no such documents and that he had only an order from his superior General Medveditsky».

3.3. Information obtained during the visit to Mozdok of Human Rights Ngo Observer Mission members A.Blinushov and State Duma Member Iu.Rybakov on 19.4.95

On April 19, A.Blinushov (Memorial) and State Duma member Iu.Rybakov visited Mozdok FC. The visit was triggered by reports about a large number of detainees being brought from Samashki, who were beaten and mistreated. FC official papers consist of two registration books, cell files, and rudimentary investigatory files. Entries in the books and files are made by hand, and there are no pre-typed forms. It was revealed that 535 people had been checked at the FC; 89 of them were exchanged for Russian POWs. As on April 19, there were only 14 detainees in the carriages, including 4 from Samashki. Like other detainees, villagers from Samashki were detained under the Presidential Decree «On Measures to Prevent Vagrancy and Begging». According to the resigstration book, 88 of those detained in Samashki on April 7-8 were taken to this FC. Only 4 of them were still at the FC at the time of visit; 4 people were taken, according to the papers, for exchange for Russian POWs; 4 detainees were transferred to the

20 military administration. The rest were released two days before the visit due to absense of incriminating circumstances. Later, speaking about the prospects of the last 4 detainees from Samashki, Caucuses Regional Procurator Iuri Japov clarified that they would also be released for lack of incriminating evidence. FC chief Maj. A.P.Petrov reported that before the operation in Samashki he had received an order from Federal Forces in Chechnya Commander Gen. Kulikov to free up FC carriages for the expected inflow of new detainees. We learned that male detainees from Samashki were transported to Mozdok by GUIN special forces. According to detainees released from Mozdok FC, the guard demonstrated brutality. (See testimonies of L.Bunkhoev, B.Arsaev, A.Shamsaev) GUIN special forces currently guard the FC. Mozdok FC current staff has been operating since March 29 and consists of people from various places. A number of documents, in particular detention reports, prove that the operation in Samashki on April 7-8 was carried out with the participation of Moscow OMON and Orenburg Regional Interior Ministry command special task force. Mr.Blinushov and Mr.Rybakov were unable to finish their inspection: all major documents were unexpectedly removed from the FC and individual interviews with detainees were terminated. Blinushov and Rybakov were brought to the Russian Army Group in Chechnya new Commander Gen. Egorov. The latter told them that he considered the inspection at Mozdok FC finished. In case of objections we were free to turn to Semenov in Grozny. All the questions were cut short by Mr.Egorov stating that he had no time to talk to the representatives of State Duma and human rights organisations.

* * *

On the same day of April 19, Blinushov and Rybakov met Caucuses Regional Procuracy Procurator Iuri Japov, who is exercising supervision over Mozdok FC. In response to the question about his official attitude to the situation at the FC Mr.Japov explained that in fact the situation was beyond the «legal sphere»: there was neither emergency, nor martial law in spite of the war that had been raging in Chechnya for more than four months. Accordingly, FC legal status is still far from defined, and logistic support is practically non-existent. Detainees are provided with dry bread only, the rest has to be taken periodically from the guards’ ration and food parcels from the detainees’ relatives. Mr.Japov pointed out that military command was reluctant to cooperate with the Procuracy, often refusing to provide necessary information. Besides, as Mr.Japov clarified, MVD special units destroy their records before leaving Chechnya. They often operate in masks and do not wear insignia, all officers use pseudonyms. The procurator doesn’t know today how to hold them accountable. According to Mr.Japov, the Procuracy has nothing to do with exchange of detainees for Russian POWs. Neither does the procurator have any information about the detainees who are taken from FC by Federal Security Service (FSS) and military administration. It should be noted that the detainees were transferred only on receipts issued by the above mentioned body’s staff. According to the Procurator, Mozdok FC is to be shortly transferred towards Kyzlyar, to Naurskaya or Chervlenaya villages.

3.4. Attempted visits to concentration center at Assinovskaya

According to several reports, detainees were sometimes kept for up to several days at concentration centers before being transported to FC; such places appear to have neither official status nor name at all. For example, detainees were held in prison cars at the checkpoint between Sernovodsk and Assinovskaya, in one of the buildings of N2 diary farm near Assinovskaya, in prison cars near the HQ tent at Assinovskaya. Apparently, on the eve of the operation in Samashki these centers were brought to one located

21 at Army Southern Group in Chechnya field command point near Assinovskaya. Male detainees from Samashki were partly taken there. According to the detainees, torture and cruel treatment were quite common there. People were kept either in prison cars or in earth holes. Characteristically, detainees from Assinovskaya were mostly released instead of being transported to FC. On April 19, State Duma member V.Borschev and Memorial members V.Losinski and A.Gurianov tried to get to the concentration center at Assinovskaya, but in vain. They met with Southern Group HQ Operational Division Chief Col. Lebedev. According to the latter, some detainees had been kept at a nearby farm indeed, but then they were transferred to the HQ where they were kept in prison cars. He denied keeping detainees in earth holes. According to him, they interrogate the detainees to get information concerning the dislocation of Dudaev forces, weapons stocks, etc. Col. Lebedev turned down the request to meet the detainees, alleging that they they were taken to an exchange point and exchange negotiations were to be finished by that very night. Besides, according to Col. Lebedev, of late there were no Chechens among the detainees, only 2 Russians and one Ukranian who confessed to having killed at least 20 Russian soldiers. Col. Lebedev‘s version was rather contradictory. On April 20, a similar attempt was undertaken by Russian Human Rights Commissioner S.A.Kovalev and Memorial member Ya.Z.Rachinsky. The were not allowed to enter the command point; during a conversation at the checkpoint Col. Kharchenko claimed that there had never been any concentration center in the vicinity. During a brief examination of the second farm no trace of detainees or their stay there was found. On May 26, A.P.Lavut and B.I.Smushkevich, representatives of the Human Rights NGOs Observer Mission, were detained while trying to verify new reports about detainees being brought to the concentration point at Assinovskaya. On the order of a General who refused to identify himself, they were taken to Grozny and then to Mozdok.

4. CONCLUSIONS

4.1. Legal status of the conflict zone in Chechen Republic

Articles 87-88 of the Russian Constitution provide for imposition of emergency or martial law for the protection of the constitutional order of the Russian Federation; in particular, in accordance with the Law «On Emergency». Imposition of emergency in accordance with the Constitution, the Law and Russia’s international obligations can constitute legal grounds for certain restriction of human rights. Nevertheless, the authorities failed to utilise existing legal instruments and a state of emergency was not imposed. In this case the state must fully observe human rights and the activity of its officials must be governed by normal legal provisions without any reservations.

4.2. Legal status of filtration camps

The legal status of Mozdok, Grozny, Stavropol and Pyatigorsk FC is absolutely vague. Neither the Russian Law «On Bodies Executing Punishment in the Form of Imprisonment» nor other legal instruments concerning places of detention, imprisonment or other forms of forcible restrictions of citizens’ physical freedom mention «filtration camps»; thus, their existence is illegal. Despite numerous attempts, the authors of this report were unable to obtain copies of regulations authorising the setting up Mozdok and Grozny FC. Stavropol and Pyatigorsk FC were set up in accordance with Stavropol Regional Interior Ministry Command Chief Militia Maj-Gen Medveditsky‘s order «On setting up filtration camps» (see Section 3.2). This order refers to the MVD regulation 247 dated 12.12.94. Neither of them can be regarded as a legitimate basis for setting up FC.

22 Mozdok and Grozny FC must have also been set up on the basis of MVD internal regulations. It is important that while setting up FC the oficials concerned did not even plan logistic support sufficient for providing the detainees with minimum acceptable conditions (see Section 3.3). This factor has caused extremely negative consequences. Currently (approximately beginning from late January, 1995), Interior Ministry officials call Mozdok and Grozny FC «temporary receiving-distributing facilities». However, the FC administration can not cite any legal instruments concerning legal status of their institutions. There are no grounds to regard FC as receiving-distributing facilities, since all the process of FC functioning does not fall under their new name:

— FC are mainly used to check the participation of detainees in the fighting and not their identity or residence; — As mentioned above, people with necessary documents confirming their identity and permanent residence are also being detained.

Thus, filtration camps can be regarded as places of forcible restriction of Russian citizens’ freedom, whose existence is not provided by Russian legislation.

4.3. Grounds for detention and imprisonment at FC

Before transportation to FC detainees were kept at concentration points without any official status or name, sometimes for up to several days. (See Sections 2 and 3.4.) It was found out that at least in one case, when detainees from Samashki were brought to the concentration point at Assinovskaya in April, they were partly released instead of being taken to FC. These people were not given certificates of detention. Thus, these detainees were not registered in the official detention statistics. On the basis of the obtained information it can be concluded that actual number of detained and imprisoned persons in the conflict zone is higher than the official figure. Before January 25, 1995, at some FC people were detained without any registration at all (see Sections 3.1 and 3.2). When, beginning from early February, detention cases started being documented, in most cases there were no considerable grounds for detention and imprisonment at FC. First, detention warrants usually were issued in violation of existing norm and regulations (see Appendix 7). Second, in most cases the warrants refer to the Presidential Decree «On Measures to Prevent Vagrancy and Begging», dated 2.11.93. Irrespective of the legitimacy of the Decree itself, most of the detainees who were brought to FC did have identity papers and some of them were even detained at home where they had permanent registration and did not fall under the Decree. Reference to the Decree served as a pseudo legal basis for extending the term of detention without presenting charges up to 10 days instead of 48 hours under the Constitution and 72 hours under the Criminal Procedure Code. In the course of examining Mozdok FC papers (see Section 3.1), it was found that in several cases charges had not been presented for more than a month, people remaining detained without any legal grounds. Even under the above mentioned Decree the term of detention can not exceed 10 days. Detainees in Chechen Republic are not given a chance to inform their relatives about their detention, though this is provided by Art.5 of the «Regulation on Short Time Detainment of Persons Suspected of Committing a Crime». As a result, detainees disappear for the whole term of detention. On the basis of all the information obtained, it can be concluded that the pattern of arbitrary and illegal detentions of Russian citizens and their illegal forcible imprisonment in FC was

23 widely present in the conflict zone. All this was done in gross violation of Article 22 of the Russian Constitution and of the Russian procedural legislation.

4.4. Conditions in detention

Conditions could vary in various periods of time and various FC but in general they should be characterized as heavy. This was especially true for the initial period of FC operation, being a direct consequence of the fact that logistic support issues were not taken into consideration while setting up FC. Nearly all of the detainees who were kept in Mozdok FC in January complained about scarce food, lack of water and terrible overpopulation. In February, things got better at Mozdok FC: there were no complaints as mentioned above. Easing out of this FC (transportation of detainees to Pyatigorsk), slowing down of inflow of detainees and Russian and world public attention to situation at FC, no doubt, contributed to certain improvement of conditions in detention. However, new inflow of a relatively large number of detainees, as was after the interior troops operation in Samashki, immediately caused anew cell overpopulation, lack of food and water. It should be noted that lack of water can not be explained by short supply but rather is a direct consequence of misteratment against the detainees. In February detainees in Grozny FC were kept in a cellar without heating and light (see Section 3.1). Absence of power and central heating in the ruined city should not be used to justify the decision on setting up a FC in Grozny. Later the building was provided with a generator that gave light to the rooms. Information obtained during visits to FC (see Section 3.1, 3.2) and reports of former detainees (see Section 2) prove that detainees at FC were denied essential professional medical care (people with serious injuries were often kept there). There is at least one proved case of a detainee’s death due to lack of professional medical care (Umar Bautdinovich Kasaev: born in 1931; died on January 10 in Pyatigorsk PDF cell — see Section 3.2) No documentary proof of beatings and torture were found during visits to Mozdok, Grozny and Stavropol FC. However, obvious signs of beatings and torture (including torture with electric current) born by former detainees were repeatedly noted by representatives of human rights organisations, members of Parliament, journalists. These reports also constitute the bulk of testimonies. Since the information in detainees’ reports concerning the timing of their detention at FC was fully proved in the course of visits to the corresponding FC, the reliability of such reports increases sharply. Besides, forensic records shortly after their documented release make the reports about torture practically indisputable. After public uproar in connection with the media reports about beatings and torture at FC, all the investigators and guards in Mozdok were replaced. From that time up to April, apparently, there was no systematic pattern of torture in Mozdok FC proper (though there were reports about ongoing sporadic beatings of detainees by the guards). However, when large group of detainees was brought there from Samashki in early April beatings during interrogations resumed. As mentioned above, before transportation to FC detainees were partly kept at field concentration camps. It were people who had been held there who reported about extremely abusive treatment of detainees. Most reports about torture mention that torture was used to force out confession of participation in the armed resistance against federal forces. In this sense, MVD officials actions as described in the detainees’ reports (see Section 2) definitely fall under the definition of torture in accordance with Article 1.1 of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Forms of Treatment or Punishment and are an outright violation of Article 21 of the Russian Constitution.

24 4.5. Former FC detainees status. The right to compensation

The conclusions made in Sections 3, 4, 5 put forward the problem of defining former FC detainees’ status. On January 24, 1995, Russian President B.Yeltsyn signed Decree N 63 «On Rehabilitation of the Rights of Russian Citizens — Former Soviet POWs and Civilians repatriated during the Great Patriotic War and During the Post-War Period». Article 1 of the Decree provides: «Measures of enforcement on the part of state bodies against Russian citizens who were on political grounds subjected to checkup in concentration, special and filtration camps and camps shall be held contradictory to the fundamental rights of person and citizen and shall be considered political repressions». This Decree can be only welcomed. It is clear that in strict legal sense the Decree can not be effective in the cases of former FC detainees in the Chechen conlict zone. However, authors of this report believe that the problem of restoring former FC detainees’ rights will inevitably and naturally emerge in the near future. Currently, violations on the part of officials can be sued in court in full conformity with Article 46 of the Russian Constitution. Former FC detainees in the conflict zone have the right to compensation, which can be legal ground for litigation, in accordance with the constitutional principle of direct interference and international treaties to which Russian Federation is a signatory: Article 9.5 of the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights, Article 14.1 of the Convention against Torture and the Decree of the Presidium of the USSR Supreme Soviet dated May 18, 1981.

4.6. Responsibility of officials. Procuracy bodies actions in the conflict zone

Authors of this report believe that actions of the officials and FC staff as well as testimonies and other information should be thoroughly investigated not within the framework of the service investigation but by independent and competent investigators; if confirmed the corresponding persons must be held accountable and punished. Russian legislation does not provide for the responsibility for committing torture but the actions reported can fall under articles concerning responsibility for criminal offense against one’s person and property and abuse of office. For the whole period of FC existence Procuracy officials, whose duty it is to verify legal grounds for detention and treatment of detainees, have failed to take any decisive steps to terminate the pattern of illegal detentions, beatings and torture (see Sections 3.2 and 3.3).

4.7. International law and FC in the conflict zone

Authors of this report believe that judging by the nature, scale and methods of warfare in the Chechen Republic the conflict should be regarded not as a police operation but rather as an internal armed conflict. Accordingly, all parties to the conflict must observe international humanitarian law, in particular Common Article III of the 1949 Geneva Conventions and Additional Protocol II dated June 8, 1977 dealing with «protection of victims in internal armed conflicts. Holding of detainees at FC was carried out with gross violations of Articles 4, 5, 6, 7 of the Protocol. Detention of citizens and holding them in illegal filtration camps without any legal status was carried out in gross violation of the International Convention on Civil and political rights, primarily of the Article 9 provisions concerning the individual’s right to freedom and personal immunity. Authors of this report are particularly concerned that there is quite reliable proof of widespread torture and cruel and degrading treatment of detainees transported and held at FC. This is an outright violation of Articles 7 and 10 of the ICCPR, and is forbidden by Article 4

25 even in case of emergency. Authors of this report understand torture and cruel and degrading treatment as under Articles 1.1 and 16.1 of the Convention against Torture to which Russia is a signatory. Federal authorities failed to take administrative and other necessary measures to prevent torture, as provided by Article 2 of the Convention, and thus actually are guilty of connivance. Russian obligation under the Convention requires that competent and independent investigation should be carried out and that the abusers should be held accountable. Authors of this report believe that the obtained information must be be thoroughly analysed in the Committee against toture and may trigger a confidential investigation, as provided by Article 20 of the Convention. The only possible honest position of Russian authorities could be to facilitate such an investigation. This alone can save Russia’s reputation as a party to the Convention and as a state which has repeatedly declared its commitment to the human rights cause.

APPENDICES

Appendix 1

Testimonies of detainees

Notably, most of the people whose reports are being analysed below were proved not guilty — they were released after investigation. Nevertheless, at least some of them have suffered moral and physical damage. Most testimonies fall in two groups: reports about detentions in January — early February 1995 and reports of those detained in early April in Samashki. Apparently, it was during these periods that detentions assumed mass scale and detainees were most brutally abused. According to the reports, what can be classified as torture was always done by people in masks. Torture with electric current is similarly described by all victims: a small generator is used; to produce current one has to twirl a handle. None of the FC staff or investigators has introduced himself to the detainees. The only exceptions are Mozdok FC chief militia Lt.Col. V.N.Samarin, and later — militia Maj. A.P.Petrov who used to sign documents given to detainees to the effect that the latter «were being kept in Mozdok FC for identity check up». The first known such case took place only on January 31, 1995 (see: Appendix 2). Before that the detainees upon release were given no certificate at all concerning the fact and reazon of their detention. Practically none of the detainees’ relatives could get any information about them before they were released. In fact, after detention the person disappeared. Reports relating to the first half of January described how detainees from Grozny were transported in trucks or APCs. The whole way took several hours. People lay one under another with hands tied behind their backs. Sometimes, an OMON soldier was sitting over them. As a result, people suffocated and some of them arrived dead. It is not possible to confirm or refute these reports. Most detainees complain about scarce food (mainly dry bread) and, especially, water.

Reports of FC detainees dating back to january-march, 1995

The following reports were obtained from various sources and are arranged in chronological order, according to dates of detention.

1. Ali Batashevich ISRAILOV

26 (Interview taken by Human Rights NGO Observer Mission members; recorded by A.Blinushov, Memorial, in Sernovodsk, on 7.4.95)

Israilov, residing in Sernovodsk, was taking his sister out of Grozny by car on December 25, 1994. His car was suddenly fired on near the village of Dolinska, no one was injured. Shortly thereafter, the car was stopped by Russian soldiers. Answering why he had not stopped at the checkpoint before he said that there had not been any. Israilov was detained, beaten and taken to Mozdok FC in a prison car. On the way he was again beaten by the guards.

He was repeatedly beaten at FC by the staff in the presence of people in uniform with Major and Colonel shoulder stripes. There were not many detainees at FC: only four in the carriage.

The interrogations were carried out by a relatively polite investigator. He asked if Israilov had taken part in fighting, if he knew any fighters, etc.

After three days Israilov was released; he signed no grievance statement. He was not given any certificate concerning his stay at FC.

According to Israilov, after the beatings he had to undergo medical treatment for six weeks.

2. Azamat Paragulgov and Movsar KHAMIDOV1 (Interview taken by RHRCG; recorded by O.P.Orlov, member of the HRC Memorial Council, in the presence of the Russian Human Right Commissioner S.A.Kovalev in Nazran on January 152)

Paragulgov, an Ingush born in 1957, lived in Grozny at 32 Pervomaiskaya St.

Khamidov, an Ingush, is an official for Russian Federal Security Service Department for the Ingush Republic. He lived in Grozny at 27 Tatarskaya St.

They had been in Grozny to take relatives and belongings out of the city but, having been caught in the assault, were hiding in the cellar of their neighbour Aslan Nanahaev’s house at 30 Tatarskaya St. They were detained there on January 1 as «artillery spotters». They were beaten and misterated; among other things, the soldiers tied Paragulgov to a tree during mortar fire.

Nanahaev was taken by the soldiers; nothing was known about his whereabouts at the time of interview.3

On January 2, Paragulgov and Khamidov were brought to the cannery to the HQ of the Russian forces in Grozny. They were beaten and abused again, especially Khamidov. One of the generals at the HQ took part in the beatings. They were repeatedly threatened with being shot by firing squad. Though Khamidov had produced his FSS identity card they were still being accused of spotting Chechen fire.

That same day Paragulgov and Khamidov were brought to FC in Mozdok. They were beaten upon arrival. During subsequent interrogation Khamidov was beaten again. They saw how other detainees were beaten and abused.

On January 5 Paragulgov and Khamidov were released.

According to Paragulgov, among other detainees at FC there were:

27 1. Hasan Khamidov (from the village of Terskoe). At the FC they cut his feet with bayonet knife and burned him with cigarette butts;

2. Ruslan Hajiev, a bank officer from Grozny, was heavily beaten at FC during interrogations;

3. Iusup Mudaev, a security guard from the cannery.

Authors of the report have a copy of the statement presented by Khamidov to his superiors concerning the above mentioned incident.

3. Zakrail Sharipovich VAIRAEV (Interview in Nazran, February 28, 1995. Provided by D.Bernstain — Freedom House)

Vairaev, born in 1968, came to Grozny to visit his sister. On January 1 he was returning home to a suburban area. He was detained by Russian soldiers near the cannery. They explained nothing, just beat and detained him. He was kept at the cannery for two days, then he was taken to Mozdok.

Sixty-three people were transported in one truck. On the way two people suffocated, six were shot. Their bodies travelled to Mozdok with other detainees. They were constantly beaten. Upon arrival to Mozdok Vairaev found neither his documents nor money. They were beaten again.

Then they were taken to Pyatigorsk. At the PDF beatings continued. All detainees from Mozdok were accused of being Dudaev fighters. Then they were transferred to the Stavropol prison, seven days later brought back to Pyatigorsk, then to Mozdok.

In Mozdok they were put into prison carriages. Vairaev started coughing heavily. He had suffered from pleuritis in 1992. As it turned out later, he had got his chest broken with resulting tuberculosis. He was transferred to a solitary cell in the same carriage. He was taken for X-ray only 8 days later; after the X-ray he was taken to a hospital in Nazran. At the time of the interview neither his mother nor sister knew his whereabouts.

4. An FC detainee’s wife (Interview taken by E.Burtina — Civil Assistance Committee on March 22, 1995, in a temporary refugee center in Krasnoarmeisk. The witness preferred to remain anonymous; authors of the report, however, have the name on record.)

On December 31, 1994, the witness with her mother and husband hid from the shooting in a cellar. Soon Russian forces gained control over the area (around the cannery). Women were told to go and men were detained. The witness turned to Russian forces pleading to release her husband because he had done nothing wrong. On January 5, however, she was told that her husband had been taken to Mozdok and would be subsequently released.

On January 9, she, along with her mother and other refugees, left Grozny in military trucks. From a temporary refugee center in the Saratov region the witness went to Mozdok in search of her husband. She was told there that the detainees were taken to Pyatigorsk. In Pyatigorsk she was told that they were taken to Stavropol. She turned to the PDF in Stavropol but they refused to give out any information. It was only with the help of a Stavropolskaya Pravda correspondent that she managed to find out that he was among 23 detainees and had been transported to Grozny to be exchanged for POWs. In February, her husband along with other detainees was exchanged for Russian POWs at Dagestani border.

28 Her husband told her that in Mozdok, Pyatigorsk and Stavropol he was constantly beaten.

While being taken from Grozny to Mozdok people were laid in the truck in several layers; some of them suffocated. One detainee died in Pyatigorsk PDF cell due to heart failure.

The witness’s husband is currently residing at his parents’ in a Dagestani village and is unable to leave: he has no documents since what had been confiscated during detention was not given back when he was taken for exchange.

5. Issa Nazhaevich MATAEV (Interview taken by RHRCG. Recorded by A.N.Mironov in the village of Goity, south of Grozny, in mid-January, 1995.)

Mataev, a 41-year-old Chechen driver, lived in Grozny near the cannery. On January 2, he was detained in a cellar where civillians took shelter from the shooting. All the men from the cellar, about 30 people, were taken to Mozdok FC. Mataev witnessed how detainees died during transportation by trucks from Grozny to Mozdok: some were shot by the guards, others, who were lying at the very bottom, suffocated.

In spite of having documents with him Mataev was told that he was detained for vagrancy. During his stay at FC cells were overcrowded, each housing 12-14 detainees.

He was released on January 11.

6. Magomed MEIDIEV (Interview provided by D.Bernstain — Freedom House.)

Meidiev, born in 1978, was detained in a cellar by Russian soldiers on January 3. They brought him to the cannery and started beating him, demanding that he should confess being a Dudaev fighter. They cited Dudaev units numbers and insisted that he belonged to them. Then he was taken to Mozdok — everything was repeated. Then he was taken to Pyatigorsk. In Pyatigorsk PDF he was beaten and set upon by dogs. Then he was transferred to the Stavropol PDF. There he had to undergo some sort of lie detector test. On January 15 he was brought back to Mozdok and released. No explanations, no apologies.

7. Ferzauli TERMAEV (Interview provided by D.Bernstain — Freedom House.)

On January 7, Termaev, who lived in Sernovodsk, drove in his car to Grozny to pick up his belongings. He took the TV, VCR, his wife and child’s things. On the way back his car was stopped by Russian interior troops soldiers at the Assinovskaya crossing. They looked into the car, saw the things, ordered him out and searched. They found some money and confiscated it. He witnessed how they stopped another car — NIVA. There were three people carrying money: they were going to buy flour. They were also detained and the money was confiscated.

Termaev was taken to the Vladikavkaz reception center. There they took his pictures en profile and en face and held him for 10 days. They beat him, abused him and set dogs on him. On January 17, he was released with a certificate of detention for 10 days; no one bothered to explain grounds for the detention.

29 He was also given his car back but without spares, rear windows and things that had been inside. Termaev tried to get a certificate that the things had disappeared during his detention in Vladikavkaz reception center. But he was only told, «Get away while you are still alive.»

8. Salimhan Sultanovich TEMURZIEV (Materials were provided by Ingush Republic Procuracy: certificate dated 5.3.95, forensic reports.)

Temurziev, an Ingush, born in 1963, was living in Grozny at 115 Zakrevskogo St. On January 9 he was detained by Russian soldiers in Gorskaya St. near his house. There were no grounds for detention. He was brought to the cannery where a Russian unit HQ was located. There he was tied to a pole. Passing soldiers beat him, cut him with knives, and burned him with cigarette butts. Then along with other detainees he was taken to Mozdok FC. FC staff, mostly wearing masks, systematically beat them with clubs, and kicked and punched them.

This was done to force out a confession that Temurziev had been fighting on Dudaev’s side.

He was released due to lack of any established guilt.

Resulting injuries are documented in forensic reports.

9. Anonymous witness (Interview taken by RHRCG)

The witness, a Chechen residing in Leninski district of Grozny, was detained at home in the RTS settlement «for identification» on January 9. Four detainees were taken to a dairy plant in an APC. There they were placed in the bathroom; there were already three people there.

Twenty-four hours later, with eyes bandaged they were taken in a KAMAZ truck to Mozdok; 18 people were lying in the truck one under another. They were placed into a prison carriage: 17 people in a cell, handcuffed, no water. The guards beat them and took their belongings. During the interrogations they had their fingers pressed with pliers.

Then they were transferred to Pyatigorsk; there were 38 people from the cannery in Grozny in the cell on January 15.

Then they were transferred to the Stavropol PDF. Seventy-two people from Chechnya were kept there, including an Ingushetian correspondent Urugchiev. At the Stavropol PDF they were beaten both during interrogations and at walk. Ruslan Hajiev was in the medical treatment room, heavily beaten, and lost his sight.

10. Chingizkhan Uveisovich AMIRKHANOV (Interview taken by RHRCG, recorded by S.V.Sirotkin, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Human Rights Commission, and O.P.Orlov, HRC Memorial Council member, in Sleptsovskaya on January 19.)

Amirkhanov, an Ingush, director of Ingushvodstroi state enterprise in Sleptsovskaya (Ingushetia), is currently residing in Sleptsovskaya at 81 Lenina St.

According to Amirkhanov, before the beginning of fighting in Grozny he lived in the city in a block of flats at 43 Bogdana Khmelnitskogo, apt.7. By the end of December 1994, he had

30 evacuated his family from Grozny to Ingushetia. In the evening of December 30, he drove into Grozny to pick up his elder brother’s family but was unable to leave the city on January 31 because of the fighting. He stayed with his neighbours in their house until January 9, when he was detained by uniformed people who came to search the house, beaten and taken to Mozdok FC.

During 24-hour interrogations there, which were accompanied by heavy beatings, they demanded that he confess to being a member of illegal armed formations. Amirkhanov refused. During the next interrogation he was not beaten, they put details of his story on record, let him sign and promised to check everything. Nevertheless, the guards continued to beat Amirkhanov regularly in the prison car.

On January 16, Amirkhanov was released since his testimony had been confirmed after checkup.

On January 19, when Amirkhanov was interviewed by Sirotkin and Orlov, the right side of his face was black and blue, his nose was broken, body and legs covered with bruises; there were also bruises on his wrists from handcuffs. X-ray examination showed multiple rib fractures, nose fractures and an injury to the lower back.

Among other detainees at FC Amirkhanov could recall:

1. Salimhan Sultanovich Temurziev, an Ingush; lived in a private house near Amirkhanov in Grozny in Perepisnaya St. Was detained by Russian soldiers in the street near his house on January 9;

2. Magomed Ugurchiev, Amirkhanov’s neighbour. He stayed in the cellar and was therefore detained later. He was taken somewhere, Amirkhanov did not see him after;

3. Three Engenoev brothers.

11. ENGENOEV brothers: Albert, Rezvon and Mairbek. Issa BATYEV (Based on press reports.)

L.Leontieva reported in the article Filtration GULAG4 (Moscow News, No 11, February 12-19, 1995) that

Engenoev brothers (Albert, Rezvon and Mairbek) were detained at a Russian checkpoint near Ischerskaya and beaten by drunk soldiers. Then they were taken to Mozdok FC; people in masks were interrogating them and beat them several times a day. They demanded that the brothers should confess to being artillery spotters or fighters. Mairbek had his kidneys injured. Their release was secured by their father, who had by chance learned that their car was driven by drunk soldiers in Mozdok. He came to FC and demanded their return.

Issa Batyev, a member of the Ingush Parliament, was detained during a round-up operation in his house in Grozny and taken to Mozdok FC. He was beaten and tortured there. He was released only following personal interference by the Provisional Council Head U.Avturkhanov.

The events reported in the article took place in January.

12. Ibragim Maksharipovich UGURCHIEV

31 (Interview taken by RHRCG. Recorded in Nazran by State Duma member Iu.Rybakov on February 13, 1995.)

Ugurchiev, born in 1960, senior editor of the Ingush Republic newspaper Serdalo, was living in Grozny at 19 Bogdana Khmelnitskogo St.

On January 12, he took a passing car out of Grozny; he had all his cash with him. He was detained at a Russian checkpoint near Sernovodskaya; his audiotapes were used as a pretext. Tapes and recorder were confiscated.

Ugurchiev was brought to Mozdok where he was kept in FC carriages. FC staff confiscated his rouble and dollar cash, golden watch, golden ring and leather jacket. Along with other detainees he was periodically beaten (every two hours).

After about three days (he did not remember exactly) along with a large group of detainees Ugurchiev was transported to the Pyatigorsk PDF. On the way the detainees were heavily beaten all the time. The guards set their dog on Ugurchiev and he was bitten.

Ugurchiev spent two days in Pyatigorsk PDF; then with a group of detainees he was transported to the Stavropol PDF. In Stavropol the detainees from Chechnya (over 100 people) were initially placed in one large cell. It was there that he was interrogated for the first time.

Ugurchiev’s detention provoked wide response, primarily among journalists. On January 27, Moscow News correspondent L.Leontieva managed to visit him in the Stavropol PDF; as a result, Ugurchiev that same day was brought to the Stavropol regional MVD chief Gen. Medveditsky and released. He was given no explanation either about his detention or hasty release.

Because detainees from Chechnya, including Ugurchiev, were held in the Stavropol PDF in violation of law and without proper procedural documents, the Stavropol Procuracy has initiated an investigation into illegal actions of the MVD officials.

Among other detainees in the Stavropol PDF Ugurchiev could recall:

1. Ruslan Hajiev, 21-23-year-old bank officer from Grozny who lost his sight after he had been beaten with a club over his head;

2. Anatoly Nikolaevich Kashin, residing in the village of Martino, Volodarsky district, Astrakhan region.

Urugchiev’s injuries resulting from the beatings were documented during forensic examination on February 1, 1995.

13. Magomed BUTSAEV (Interview taken in Khasavyurt in Dagestan by O.I.Cherepova — Memorial during a joint HRC Memorial-Human Rights Watch/Helsinki fact-finding mission on 23.4.95.)

Butsaev, born in 1951, was living in Chervlenaya, at 5 Iuzhnaya St.

Chervlenaya is situated in the north of Chechnya, the region that was occupied by federal forces during the first days of the conflict.

32 Butsaev worked as a senior instructor in a railways civilian guard unit. From December 10, 1994 to January 10, 1995 he was commander at one of the unarmed (according to him) posts set up by the villagers to prevent Russian forces from entering the village. The villagers voluntarily disarmed on January 10.

On January 14, Butsaev was detained at home by Russian soldiers wearing masks. In reply to the question why did they enter the house they replied, «We have every right, and you don’t». After the search (nothing illegal was found) the soldiers took Butsaev with them. They also detained his neighbours:

Ruslan Serbeev;

Salman Tselikov, 42-year-old, deaf;

Katash, 37-year-old ambulance driver.

According to Butsaev, he was detained because of the villagers’ reports about his disloyal statements regarding Russian authorities, his threats towards Russians and possession of weapons. He was charged with not surrendering in his service pistol (he claimed that he had given it in Gudermes, though it was impossible to check this since Gudermes was still under Chechen control), setting up an armed post, informing Gudermes about Russian troop movements via railway telegraph.

The detainees were taken to a nearby federal forces’ base and placed into prison cars. They were beaten. Other villagers from Chervlenaya were brought there by night:

Yahya Beisultanov

Wahid Magomadov

Aslan Ginaev

Subyar Daudov

Ali Chadyev (Chervlenaya military administration chief)

Tolsultanov brothers: Ramzan and Beslan

Khalazhi Gabarov (suffering from epilepsy)

Pasha, teenage refugee from Grozny, son of Radziat Iliasova

All were beaten upon arrival.

During the day on January 15 and 16, the detainees were made to stand motionless on their knees in the open, hands tied behind their back; they were cursed and humiliated all the time, those who moved were beaten. Butsaev had two ribs broken by a kick (as proved later by X-ray). In addition, they were threatened with death by being laid in a hole: they threatened to bury the detainees alive. However, according to Butsaev, one of the guard shift commanders (a soldier called Sergei) treated the detainees well: gave them cigarettes, tea, helped them to get up and made them move — some people had their hands and feet paralyzed after many hours of motionless staying on the knees.

33 Detainees were taken for interrogation one by one.

On January 16, a group of detainees was transported to Mozdok by helicopter. People were laid in three layers one under another. Those who tried to move were beaten.

Upon arrival to Mozdok airport Ali Chadyev was heavily beaten because the guards said he was a Dudaev special force commander.

The detainees were placed at FC in prison carriages. They were fed with dry bread and given little food.

The guards beat the detainees every time they were taken to the toilet. They were given 6-10 seconds.

On January 18, Butsaev was interrogated by people in masks: they demanded that he should confess to having fought on Dudaev’s side; during the interrogation he was tortured with electric current.

Next day MVD investigators appeared; they were interrogating politely, without beating.

On January 24, Butsaev and all other detainees from Chervlenaya were released (except Ginaev). Ginaev was released two days later. No one was given a certificate of detention at FC. All released detainees had bruises, some had their ribs broken (for example, Beisultanov and Butsaev).

On January 27, Butsaev left Chervlenaya to undergo medical treatment in Dagestan.

14. Magomed-Rashid Akhmetovich PLIEV (Interview taken by RHRCG; recorded by L.A. Aleinik in Nazran Central Republican Hospital in the presence of Chief Forensic Expert Rashid Aushev on 8.2.95.)

Pliev, an Ingush journalist, was living in Grozny at 21, 2nd Gorsky Per. He was detained in the street near his house on January 17. Although he produced his documents, he was taken to the cannery where he was held for 36 hours in harsh conditions along with 13 other detainees. On January 19 the detainees were transported by trucks to Mozdok FC.

Upon arrival to Mozdok they were beaten. Beatings continued later, for example, when detainees were taken to the toilet. The guards also deliberately took them out to the corridor where they were beaten with clubs, rifle butts, hands and feet. Moreover, Pliev was tortured with electric current to force out a confession of being a fighter. Pliev refused. During the interrogations that followed investigators were polite and did not resort to beating.

On January 22-23 (he doesn’t remember exactly) Pliev along with a group of detainees was taken by helicopter to Khasavyurt to be exchanged for Russian POWs, but at that time the exchange failed to occur.

On January 24, Pliev was released for lack of guilt and brought to Ingushetia.

15. Wahid Mikhailovich TSOMAEV (Interview taken by RHRCG; recorded by L.A. Aleinik in Nesterovskaya on 8.2.95.)

34 Tsomaev, born in 1974, was detained for not having documents on January 18 in Assinovskaya where he had fled from Grozny to wait for the war to end. Along with other detainees he was brought by helicopter to Mozdok area; they were constantly beaten on the way.

Tsomaev was repeatedly beaten at the FC, hung by handcuffs, threatened by shooting and several times tortured with electric current. However, in the course of subsequent interrogations he was not beaten any more. Investigators tried to prove that he was in fact I.Ts.Tsomaev, but the records were done correctly.

Six days after the last interrogation (January 26), Tsomaev along with a group of other detainees was taken by helicopter to Khasavyurt in Dagestan. They were exchanged for Russian POWs.

According to Tsomaev, there were heavily injured people among the detainees (resulting from beatings and torture) and less injured people were selected for the exchange.

Among other detainees at FC Tsomaev could recall only Magomed Pliev.

16. KAURGASHVILI brothers, Ruslan JAMALKHANOV (According to press reports.)

A journalist, A.Fadin, reported in his article «This war will be inherited» (Obschaya Gazeta, 16- 22.1.95) that he had met several people in Shali (Chechen Republic) who were exchanged for Russian POWs on January 26.

The Kaurgashvili brothers, 19 and 22 years old, were detained in their house in Assinovskaya on January 19. They were taken to FC and beaten. One had two ribs broken, both had their kidneys injured, their hands and feet were black and blue and they had dark red scars on their backs.

Ruslan Jamalkhanov, 19 years. He was detained in Grozny on January 16 while trying to buy bread and taken to Mozdok FC. He was beaten regularly and tortured with electric current. They demanded that he confess to being a fighter and tell where weapons were kept.

17. Hasan CHITAEV (According to press reports.)

Moskovski Komsomolets journalists A.Kolpakov and Iu.Kalinina reported that (Fighters and Peacekeepers, MK, 7.2.95)

52-year-old Chitaev was detained in his house in Assinovskaya, beaten and brought to Mozdok FC by helicopter. His watch, money and leather jacket were confiscated. He was systematically and heavily beaten during interrogations and tortured with electric current. They demanded that he should confess being a fighter. Eight days later all detainees from the cell were suddenly released. Chitaev had his arm and several ribs broken.

18. Mikail Musaevich and Magomed Isropilovich CHANIEV (From materials provided by the Ingush Repubilc Procuracy: certificate dated 5.3.95, forensic records)

Mikail Musaevich Chaniev (born 1971, residing in Nesterovskaya at 6 Rechnaya St.) and Magomed Isropilovich Chaniev (born 1972, fled Prigorodny region of North Ossetia) were arbitrarily detained at a checkpoint near Sernovodsk. They were beaten and brought to Mozdok

35 FC, where M.I.Chaniev was systematically beaten: they were trying to force out confession of taking part in the fighting on Dudaev side. As a result, M.I.Chaniev had his nose broken. Both were released on January 29 for lack of any guilt.

Resulting injuries were documented in forensic records.

19. Ahmed Khizirovich IDRISOV (Interview taken by RHRCG. Recorded by S.V.Sirotkin.)

Idrisov, born in 1965, lived in Grozny at 7, 8 March St., apt.2. On January 23, he was detained while driving past a Russian checkpoint between Sernovodsk and Samashki. There were no grounds for detention, the detention was not documented. Idrisov was beaten and threatened with death by people in uniform. He saw other detainees being beaten and burnt with cigarette butts.

That same day, Idrisov along with around 30 other detainees was taken to Mozdok FC by helicopter. They had their eyes blindfolded. According to Idrisov, one detainee was killed and his body was thrown out, or the guards just pretended to have done this.

Detainees were constantly beaten during their first days at FC, but then Idrisov was transferred to another carriage where he was not beaten.

People in MVD uniform were quite polite during interrogations and did not beat the men. However, sometimes the investigator would leave the room; some people in camouflage wearing masks would come and beat the detainee. Then they would go out and the investigator went on with the interrogation.

At the time of Idrisov’s stay at the FC it was visited by a group of foreigners. He does not know who they were.

On January 31, Idrisov was released for lack of guilt along with 17 other detainees. According to Idrisov, there were heavily injured people among them.

Among the detainees at FC Idrisov could recall:

1. Two Egyptian brothers (Ibragim and Embi MANSUR). They were charged with participation in illegal armed formations; both bore signs of heavy beatings;

2. Artur Margita (16.5-year-old);

3. Mussa Hajiev (a villager from Novy Sharoi). He was detained and released together with Idrisov;

4. Magomed Tsutsiev (17-year-old villager from Sleptsovskaya);

5. Chiliev brothers. They were detained at the same checkpoint and released on January 26 or 27;

6. Magomed Mamikaev. He was detained together with Idrisov;

7. Ramzan Sakaev. He was released together with Idrisov.

Idrisov had the following injuries: broken fractures of 6-8th ribs, bruisers on his face, chest, hands and feet. This was documented in the forensic record dated February 2, 1995.

36 20. A man who wished to remain anonymous5 (Interview taken by RHRCG. Recorded by L.A.Aleinik and Iu.Rybakov near Achkoi-Martan on 1.2.95.)

The witness, a Chechen, was detained at a Russian checkpoint between Samashki and Sernovodsk on January 24. There were no grounds for detention, no records were made. He saw eleven more detainees at the checkpoint.

That same day the detainees were taken to Mozdok FC by helicopter. They had their eyes blindfolded. They were heavily baten in the helicopter. According to the witness, two detainees were killed and their bodies thrown out, or at least the guards pretended to have done this. All detainees were threatened with being shot.

Upon arrival in Mozdok they were heavily beaten. According to the witness, two people were shot. He also claims to have been shot in the back of his head, the pistol being loaded with blank cartriges (this information causes serious doubts).

During the first night at FC all the detainees were heavily beaten. According to the witness, FC staff consisted of MVD officials from Ryazan and Chuvashia. The former beat the detainees, the latter treated them much better.

During the interrogation on January 26 the witness was not beaten. According to him, other detainees were not beaten during interrogations either. That same day he was offered to be exchanged for Russian POWs but he declined the offer.

On January 31, the witness along with 16 other detainees was released from FC. Upon request, he was taken to Ingushetia.

Among other detainees at FC the witness could recall:

1. Two Egyptian brothers Mansurchagi (Ibrahim and Hamdi), who were charged with participation in illegal armed formations; both had signs of heavy beatings;

2. Bekhan Idigov, a villager from Assinovskaya, was detained at the checkpoint together with the witness;

3. Shelkhalov, who was detained at the checkpoint together with the witness;

4. Shelkhalov brothers, Hasan and Husein, who were detained at the checkpoint together with the witness;

5. Bekmurziev, who was detained at the checkpoint together with the witness.

21. M.E. HIDIEV (According to the materials obtained from the Ingush Republic Procuracy. Certificate dated 5.3.95.)

Hidiev, Ingush Republic Sunzha district Deputy Procurator, was arbitrarily detained by interior troops near Samashki while driving home from work in the evening of January 27, 1995. Despite the fact that he had produced his documents he was handcuffed and held in a bus for the whole night and the first half of the day January 28; then he was released.

37 22. Amirkhan Israilovich MUTALIEV (Interview record provided by Memorial/Ingushetia)

Mutaliev, born in 1967, lived in Grozny at 70 Mayakovskogo Gorodok, apt. 42.

Mutaliev had sent his family to Nazran but stayed in Grozny. In January, his residential area fell under Russian control. Buses to Mozdok and Nazran traveled through that part of the city. On January 27, Mutaliev took a bus to Nazran carrying several suitcases with his and his family belongings.

The bus was stopped at an OMON checkpoint outside the town. An officer entered and asked all young men to get off. They were searched and cursed, then taken to a nearby truck as «marauders taking property out of Grozny».

After some time, a drunk officer and soldier got into the truck with 33 people in it. The officer said, «Shoot them there, in Znamenka». The truck started but having gone just 200 meters turned over (the driver was drunk). During the accident many people in the truck were injured. The military helped them. Those who received fractures were taken to the hospital in 15th dairy farm.

The guards got frightened. They treated the detainees in various ways. One brought bread and canned meat.

The detainees who were not injured (25 people) were taken to a helicopter site and put into a helicopter. They were laid on the floor, beaten and robbed (they confiscated Mutalibov’s 100,000 roubles). In Mozdok disembarkmente was accompanied by the words, «We have brought captured fighters.» The detainees were beaten again.

The detainees were taken to prison carriages. Twenty-three people were pressed in one compartment; then they were separated by 12. The detainees were taken one by one to a separate compartment and made to undress there: they were looking for rifle signs on the fingers and shoulders.

At FC people were beaten by the guards only when taken to the toilet.

During interrogations, investigators asked Mutaliev where he had fought, who the commanders were, etc. The following day the guards became more polite with the detainees.

They started releasing detainees on January 30. Mutaliev was released on January 31. All of his cellmates were released along with him.

Among other detainees at FC Mutaliev could recall:

1. Magomed Gandaloev, living in Malgobek (Ingushetia) at 3/35 Tolstogo St. He was detained and released together with Mutaliev;

2. Usman Khomutaev, former head of the 4th Vodokanal shop. He was released together with Mutaliev, heavily beaten.

23. Adam Akievich CHEKIEV (Interview record provided by Memorial/Ingushetia. Interview taken in Nazran on February 10, 1995.)

38 Chekiev, born in 1951, worked in a construction cooperative in Assinovskaya. He was detained at a checkpoint near Assinovskaya while driving on January 29. He was taken to the airport, beaten and robbed on the way: his watch and calculator were confiscated.

Along with other detainees Chekiev was brought to Mozdok by helicopter. During the flight the detainees were threatened with being thrown out.

Upon arrival to FC all the detainees were beaten, but later there were no beatings.

During interrogation they suggested that Chekiev should agree to be exchanged for Russian POWs but he declined the offer.

On February 3, Chekiev was released. Confiscated documents were not returned.

24. Shahid Isidovich BATASHEV (Interview taken by RHRCG. Recorded by A.Iu.Blinushov in the hospital in Sleptsovskaya, Ingushetia, on 9.2.95.)

52-year-old Batashev works as the cannery director in Assinovskaya. He was against Dudaev’s regime.

He was detained at an OMON checkpoint near Assinovskaya on January 29 while driving in an office car together with his wife. The search of the car yielded two cartriges for a sniper rifle. According to Batashev, there could not have been any cartriges in the car. He was beaten and, with his hands tied and eyes blindfolded, thrown into a truck and taken to the airport at Sleptsovskaya. They broke his nose with a club before putting him into a helicopter, threw him into a mud ditch left by a tank with his hands tied, broke his jaw with a rifle butt and threatened to kill him.

Batashev was brought to Mozdok FC by helicopter and again beaten upon arrival.

He was interrogated for the first time on the fourth day. The interrogation was polite; that same day he was released. The money confiscated by the FC staff was returned (the only known case), but not the documents.

The hospital doctors’ diagnosis: three ribs, nose, jaw broken; liver and one kidney injured; deterioration of the heart.

25. H.D. JAMULAEV (Materials obtained from Ingush Republic Procuracy. Certificate dated 5.3.95, forensic records.)

Jamulaev, a militiaman from the Sunzha District Interior Ministry department, was going to the office. He was detained by Russian soldiers near Samashki on February 9. He was brought to a federal forces base near Assinovskaya where he was heavily beaten. They demanded that he should show where «Ingush fighters» were deployed. After that Jamulaev was kept in a place unknown to him until February 13; then he was released without his documents, money and clothes being returned.

26. Ruslan Musaevich ABDULAEV (Interview taken by RHRCG. Recorded during the visit to Mozdok FC on February 26.)

39 Abdulaev, a Chechen, lived in Assinovskaya at 31 Diakova St.

Abdulaev was detained at a checkpoint near Assinovskaya at about 9 a.m. on February 20. He had no weapons; there was an «old type 5-rouble note in the passport». Formal ground for detention: «Because I am allegedly wanted in Kazakhstan; there may have been a deficit in my balance there, as a Chechen». 370 000 roubles were confiscated at the time of detention; this was witnessed by relatives (listed).

The two were brought in a UAZ jeep to a small carriage in the field; two detainees were already there. Then they were taken to Mozdok by helicopter; before embarkation they were beaten. They were taken to FC by car.

27. Salam BAISAROV (Interview taken by RHRCG. Recorded during the visit to Mozdok FC on February 26.)

Baisarov, a 64-year-old Chechen, lives in Assinovskaya.

He was detained at a border post at the Sernovodsk-Assinovskaya crossing at 11 a.m. on February 24 while driving in his Moskvich-412 without any grounds: just for an old type 10- rouble note, they said, «This is a password.» «Drunk special force soldiers without any questions confiscated the car and belongings»; they just took Drujba-2 mechanical saw, washing machine, around 25 thousand roubles. He had no weapons with him, only a registered hunting knife in the car. He had his eyes blindfolded and was «humiliatingly kicked».

On the way the guards took his fur hat. In Mozdok they were initially brought to some place with detainees and then by car to prison carriages.

In the prison carriages «the soldiers beat when they were drunk».

According to other detainees, Ganukaev was tortured with electric current: «they attached wire to his body and turned a telephone handle».

28. Hasan Abuevich SHAMSUDDINOV (Interview taken by RHRCG. Recorded during the visit to Mozdok FC on February 26.)

Shamsudinov, a Chechen refugee registered by the Federal Migration Service and Ministry for Emergency Situations, lived in Sleptsovskaya at his relatives’ at 18 Iuzhnaya St.

On February 21, the border guards stopped a bus that was going from Urus-Martan to Sleptsovskaya, at a checkpoint between Samashki and Sernovodsk. Men were taken out of the bus; only Shamsuddinov was detained for not having permanent registration at the place of residence (registered in Assinovskaya). In addition, an outdated 5 rouble note was found in his wallet.

After his detention they put him in an APC and drove for about an hour. He was kept in a prison car for three days. He was pushed during embarkment, fell and got injured. There were 10 more detainees there.

They were brought to FC on February 24. Shamsuddinov had suffered from tuberculosis before; coughing and aches resumed. A doctor came once; there were no more visits.

40 29. Tahir DAVLETUKAEV (Interview taken by Human Rights NGOs Observer Mission. Recorded by A.Blinushov, Memorial, in Mozdok on 19.4.95.)

Tahir Davletukaev, the Chechen Republic Shchelkovsky district Procurator, was detained at home at about 5 a.m. on March 12. He lived in Shchelkovskaya at 72 Sovetskaya St.

It was not his first detention: around March 9, Davletukaev and forestry director Ahmadov were detained without any documents or warrants, according to the former, «because of the respect he enjoyed in the district». They were not beaten. They were kept in a cold car for 24 hours at an interior troops base and when they were taken to Mozdok in APCs the following day the crowd stopped the convoy and forced the guards to release the detainees.

The second time, Davletukaev was detained at home at about 5 a.m. by a group of about 20 people, apparently, special forces people. The search yielded weapons (issued by the militia authority, there is a confirming record in the corresponding register): one pistol, one automatic rifle, nine cartriges; everything was put on record. Also valuables were confiscated without documentation.

Davletukaev was «covertly brought to Mozdok» where he was kept in a prison carriage cell along with two militia officials from Nadterechny district (18 and 20 years old).

In total, there were about 25 people in the FC carriage at that time, «they were brought and taken. Most were brought from the checkpoint near Samashki. There detainees were kept in a truck at an MVD unit base before being taken to Mozdok FC. Wthout food, naked, up to three days.» Detainees were beaten; the last group (around March 24-25) was «very heavily beaten»; one 68-year-old man was totured with a blow lamp. Those brought to FC were no longer beaten, they were provided medical care. «If compared with this it’s like heaven in a FC.»

Detainees were given dry bread, water, if available, sometimes boiled.

Treatment largely depended on the shift on duty; some «give only 5 seconds to attend your needs: to enter toilet from that end, do everything in five seconds and run back — it’s impossible».

At night, when the officers would leave, the guards would get drunk and beat the detainees. Though he was not beaten himself Davletukaev claimed that everyone was beaten at FC: «No one came out of there uninjured.»

Davletukaev gives the example of Bonzhaev, father of six children, living at Chervlenaya- Uzlovaya station. He was held at FC for about two months and then released. Bonzhaev spent a fortnight at home recovering; he was detained for the second time on March 13, brought to Mozdok FC and beaten heavily. As of the second half of April, Bonzhaev was at home in a heavy condition.

During visits to FC by superiors or commissions the detainees were warned, «If you say that someone has been mistreated, you are finished.» However, all detainees complained to visiting ICRC representatives and journalists, which resulted in no more beatings of the newly brought detainees and providing of medical care.

They repeatedly suggested that Davletukaev should agree to be exchanged; he insisted on his case being transferred to court. They refused as well as to provide a lawer and threatened to

41 «beat everything out of him». On March 27 he was transferred to the Pyatigorsk PDF (so called «White Swan»). Several days later he was released, again arrested right at the PDF doors, handcuffed and brought back to Mozdok. He was placed in the same cell with Dudaev’s cousin, who was to be exchanged. Though Davletukaev declined the exchange offer again, demanding that his case should be transferred to court, on April 7 he was taken to Vedeno along with 15 other detainees and exchanged for Russian POWs, FSS Major Seregin among them. Out of 16 exchanged detainees (14 Chechens, one Dagestani and a Russian from Grozny), only one was detained with weapon at hand, the rest were civilians.

30. Sekudin, a villager from Assiniovskaya (Interview taken by Human Rights NGOs Observer Mission. Recorded by A.Blinushov, Memorial, in Sernovodsk on April 12. The name of the witness has not been put on record but we considered it possible to incorporate his testimony in the report.)

At 5 p.m. in the evening of March 22, unidentified soldiers in camouflage uniform wearing shawls drove to his house in an APC and an URAL truck. Without any explanations or bringing charges they tied his hands, beat him and «pushed» him into the APC with «automatic rifles»: «They didn’t let me say a word and asked nothing themselves». His belongings (they may have been valuable things) were loaded onto the truck: «Nothing was left, they took everything.» An hour later he had his eyes blindfolded and was taken to an unknown destination.

They brought us «to some base», placed in an auto repair car: like a solitary cell — you can neither lie, nor sit. I spent three days there. There were more people in other cells. You have a blindfold on your eyes, hands tied, see nothing, hear nothing. No food, only water once a day. At night — midnight, 1 a.m. — they take you out, beat you, throw you back into the car half dead. Eyes bandaged, you can’t see how many they are, what they are doing. Took you out several times, beat you, burned you with cigarette butts. They took half of the clothes, took the money from my pocket.

In the evening of the fourth day six people with eyes bandaged were put into helicopters on the floor, the guards sitting over them, and taken to Mozdok. At the Mozdok airport they were thrown out of the helicopter and beaten ferociously, then put into a car and brought to the FC carriages.

There they took off eye blindfolds and led the detainees into the carriage saying, «Here we have caught Dudaev fighters, he fought.» At that point the detainees were beaten again. It happened on March 25. Arrival to the FC was not officially recorded.

Among the newly brought detainees many were injured or wounded or had fractures. Those who complained during subsequent medical «examination» by a visiting doctor (he was a serviceman, made no records and left quickly) were taken out to the corridor one by one and beaten again. «When the doctor comes people are scared to complain.» Sometimes, the guards gave bandages and medicine: «They give their own, whoever happens to be kind, whoever happens to be human.»

Then an investigator came and took fingerprints. He did not introduce himself, just a military man in black uniform without shoulder stripes. He did not beat him and «treated me normally». Secudin was taken to the interrogation «many times» during 15 days. He was asked «who the fighters were, where they were, who had shot first in Chechnya, who did what ...» He was told some names and asked if he «knew such and such people».

42 During the day the detainees were taken out to work irrespective of their health. They were cleaning up rubbish and sawing boards.

There were five people in the cell, around 25 in the carriage. They were fed «normally», taken to the toilet «on request», given water «on request». «It’s all normal in the carriage in Mozdok. Nothing to complain about. But before you get there some survive, some die.»

However, drunk guards «inhumanly mistreat» detainees at night. No procurator seemed to have visited. There were no commissions at the FC for a fortnight.

On April 6, Secudin was released, and given back his documents and a certificate. His belongings and money were not returned.

About 15 people were released (it is unclear whether they were released during the whole period or on that day). There were no exchanges during his detention.

31. Isani HANOEV (Interview taken by Human Rights NGOs Observer Mission. Recorded by A.Blinushov, Memorial, in Sernovodsk on April 7.)

Hanoev, born in 1970, a villager from Assinovskaya, was detained at home together with his father Movli (born 1930) on March 25. Two more villagers were detained along with them. They had their eyes blindfolded, were beaten and taken to a nearby army unit base. They were kept in prison cars there. Food was given once a day.

The detainees were beaten at night. Hanoev was beaten and tortured with electric current.

The guards humiliated them asking, «Who is the richest? Who will pay more to get out of here?»

On March 29, Hanoev was taken to Mozdok by helicopter. During the flight the guards were beating them heavily with rifle butts and kicking them. Upon arrival at Mozdok all detainees were beaten again at the airport.

There were no beatings at Mozdok FC, the guards treated them normally, there was no abuse during interrogations. Medical care was provided: detainees were given bandages and iodine. People in poor condition were treated by the doctor personally. Once a day they were given a half can of porriage.

On April 6, Hanoev was released, having signed a no-grievance statement. He was given a certificate of detention.

According to Hanoev, four detainees to be released along with him (Aiub, a villager from Samashki, among them) were suddenly put into a car and taken to an unknown destination. He learned later that they were reportedly exchanged for Russian POWs.

Among other detainees Hanoev could recall:

1. Bursagov, from Sernovodsk;

2. Utan Izrailov. He was heavily beaten, and had a serious head injury.

43 Testimonies of those detained in Samashki on april 7-8, 1995 (Interviews taken by Human Rights NGO Observer Mission)

In the course of the Russian MVD (interior troops, OMON, special units) operation to seize control of the village of Samashki on April 7-8, men in the village were detained and transported on foot to an army unit base at a former shooting site in the hills of the Sunzha mountain range, about 2-3 kilometers north of the village. There the detainees were sorted out and sent to two places of detention. Some were loaded into trucks one over another and taken to the concentration center at a field command point near Assinovskaya. Others were transported by helicopters to Mozdok FC.

The interviewees use the word «servicemen» though, apparently, they could not distinguish militia officers from interior troops. Neverthless, most villagers from Samashki reported that mostly contract soldiers or militia officers were responsible for the atrocities, rather than young soldiers on active duty.

32. Leche BUNKHOEV

(A villager from Samashki, born in 1977; interview taken by Memorial member A.Blinushov in Sernovodsk on 10.4.95.)

On April 10, several teenagers returned from Mozdok FC to Sernovodsk, near Samashki. They had been detained in the morning of April 8 along with men. Bunkhoev was among the detainees. He was the only one who agreed to give personal testimony. Other teenagers were afraid to be cited by name.

According to Bunkhoev, the detainees were brought to an army unit base north of Samashki. They were beaten and some were set upon by dogs; several people were seriously bitten. Then the detainees were brought to Mozdok by helicopter. During the flight they were beaten again. In Mozdok they were taken to FC, upon arrival to FC the detainees were led along a line of soldiers who beat them with clubs and rifle butts. Beatings continued in the FC itself. Cells were overcrowded. One can of water for 4 people was given once a day.

The detainees were beaten during interrogations; they demanded that a detainee confess to being a fighter or tell the names of Dudaev fighters. In the morning of April 10, six teenage detainees were released.

At the time of the interview, Bunkhoev’s face was black and blue and there were signes of dog bites on his body.

33. Another six teenagers

Another six teenagers from Samashki, who had also been released from Mozdok FC, confirmed the story related by Bunkhoev. Their faces and bodies were partly black and blue, two of them were seriously bitten by dogs.

34. Ruman SULEIMANOV

(19-year-old; lives in Samashki at 100 Proletarskaya St. Interview taken in Samashki by Memorial members A.Gurianov and A.Blinushov on April 16 and 22 respectively.)

44 According to Suleimanov, on April 8, soldiers came to his family’s house and ordered everyone out. Suleimanov and his younger brother Adlan (16 years old) were heavily beaten in the yard. Suleimanov was detained, forced to take off his clothes and footwear, and taken to a Russian army unit base along with other detainees (about 80 people). The base was located in the Sunzha mountain range, several kilometers north of Samashki.

According to Suleimanov, those who fell behind were shot; the soldiers made the detainees put a stretcher with a wounded man on the ground and shot him when the group of detainees was 10 meters away. He was not an eyewitness to that because they were not allowed to look back.

They were beaten on the way: Suleimanov was beaten himself and saw other detainees from Samashki being beaten.

At the army unit base small groups of the detainees were taken aside, beaten and deliberately attacked by dogs. People were forced to crawl on the ground. When beating, the soldiers asked questions like, «Where is Dudaev? Which roads does he move along?»

That same day the detainees who had been brought to the base were loaded into a truck one over another, covered with boards and taken somewhere, soldiers sitting over them. Suleimanov and four young detainees were taken in an APC. Beatings and humiliations continued there. In Sleptsovskaya they were interrogated by a man who was wearing no insignia but pretended to be a General. The four detainees, having told the interrogator that they were teenagers, were ordered released.

On April 16, Suleimanov was telling his story lying in an improvised bed on the floor. He was feeling ill during the conversation, he may have had high temperature. Sometimes he moaned with pain when moving. His left side and leg were bandaged to a board, his back and waist were black and blue after the beatings, partly his chest also. Medical care was provided by a group of doctors (apparently, MSF) who came to Samashki on April 15. Then he was taken by car to a hospital in Sleptsovsk.

Suleimanov repeated his story on April 22, when he came back from the hospital. He learned there that he had three broken ribs and a split in the thigh-bone.

35. Makhmudemin Denisultaevich IZIEV (Interview taken by Memorial members A.Blinushov and A.Gurianov in Sernovodsk on 20.4.95; State Duma members S.Kovalev, V.Borschev and Iu.Rybakov were also present.)

Iziev lives in Samashki at 22 Proletarskaya St. On April 7, he fled the village with his family. They passed the first MVD checkpoint on the way from Samashki to Sernovodsk safely; however, at the second checkpoint Iziev was detained along with other male villagers. He had his passport with him. Some of the men were then released, the rest had their eyes blindfolded, hands tied or handcuffed and without any explanations put into a helicopter. They were taken out, apparently, near Assinovskaya and brought to some hole. There was a prison car there; they were placed in this car. According to Iziev, there were already 3 men, heavily beaten. In the car the detainees could take their eye bandages off, but whenever the doors were opened their eyes had to be bandaged again.

Iziev was taken from the car to interrogations with his eyes bandaged. The interrogations were carried out in another hole nearby. Beatings were routine during interrogations; mainly on the kidneys and in the chest. They were attempting to force Iziev to confess that he was a fighter, demanded that he show where he had hidden his weapons, etc. According to Iziev, the

45 interrogators were saying, «There shouldn’t be the word ‘no’. You are all Chechens — you must all have weapons.» They were suggesting signing some document not telling its contents. Torture with electric current was also used. They attached wire to the detainee’s neck, someone would shout «turn», and an electric shock followed. Once the wire was placed into the mouth. Iziev had burns on his neck. He lost consciousness several times during the interrogations.

Iziev witnessed how other people were taken out of the car for interrogations; they came back beaten. The detainees were given neither food nor water.

According to Iziev, among other detainees at FC there were: one disabled (without a hand) — Karnukaev (beaten) and elderly men (Issa Kariev had been kept there for 9 days by the time Iziev was brought). The elderly were released two days later.

On April 10, the detainees were put into a helicopter and brought to Mozdok. They were beaten there and taken to FC. They were beaten again during interrogations and threatened with being shot. The investigator did not take part in the beatings, staying for this time in another part of the investigation carriage. Iziev heard similar things happening in adjacent compartments. The questions were all the same as before; in addition, they suggested signing a document without reading it or confession that it had been the fighters who started shooting from the village.

Approximately on the fourth day, a Russian man Albert Kul’kov, apparently mentally ill, was brought to FC (the intreviewee could not recall his name exactly). He was heavily beaten; they wanted him to confess to being a sniper. After the interrogation he was brought unconscious to the adjacent cell of the carriage. He stayed unconscious for 24 hours; then, according to the guards, he was taken to hospital.

Medical care was limited to a general examination by a military doctor; he would give iodine and one tablet for all diseases. When a man told him about broken ribs he just gave bandage for the guy to do it himself.

Detainees in relatively good health were taken to load-unload rail cars and to cut firewood.

Iziev was released on April 18. His passport was returned to him.

36. Adam Ibragimovich HABUEV (Interview taken by Memorial members A.Blinushov and A.Gurianov in Sernovodsk on 20.4.95; State Duma members S.Kovalev, V.Borschev and Iu.Rybakov were also present.)

Habuev, born in 1957 in Kentau (Chimkent region), lives in Chimkent at 13 Lenin Ave., apt.54, Kazakhstan. According to him, he came to Samashki shortly before April 7 to take his relatives out.

He was detained in the relatives’ house in Samashki on April 8. The soldiers tore up his passport (VI-ОЖ N 576322 issued by Dzerzhinsky district MVD office in Chimkent). We were shown what was left of the passport and was picked up by the relatives. Along with other male detainees, Habuev was taken to a military unit base north of Samashki.

People were beaten on the way, they shot a wounded man who was carried on a stretcher by relatives [Habuev was not an eyewitness to the execution].

Large men were deliberately taken aside at the «camp», beaten and attacked by dogs. All this was overseen by a General who had previously participated in negotiations with Samashki

46 inhabitants at a checkpoint on the road to Sernovodsk. Habuev was released thanks to his personal acquaintance with one of the officers and returned to Samashki.

That same day, while driving out of Samashki with his neighbours and relatives he was detained again: this time at a checkpoint between Samashki and Sernovodsk (all men were detained — 12 people aged 16-56). He was taken to a concentration center near Assinovskaya. The detainees were kept in earth holes there. Their eyes were blindfolded, they were not allowed to raise their heads; under threat of beating and by throwing stones they were forced to stay motionless for long periods of time. The soldiers used to come down and beat the detainees.

After 24 hours, some of the detainees were put into a helicopter. Habuev together with 28 other detainees was put into a truck. They were forced to make all the way to the truck on their hands and knees through a line of soldiers who were beating them and setting dogs on them. They were told that they would be shot. The truck took them to the Sunzha mountain range between Samashki and Sernovodsk. There the detainees were released; they were left free in their choice to go to either village.

37. Ahmed SHAMSAEV (Interview with this villager of Samashki was taken at a crossroads at the entrance to the village on April 19.)

On April 7, his elder brother (34 years old) was wounded during an artillery attack. On April 8, the witness and his brother were detained in their house. Along with others, they were taken to an army base north of Samashki (he referred to as a «camp»). Shamsaev reported that on the way to the «camp» the soldiers shot his brother.

According to Shamsaev, there were 134 detainees when counted in the «camp». Detainees were laid on the ground and «sorting out» began. The people on the ground were set upon dogs with a command «foe». Sixty-eight people, including Shamsaev, were taken to Mozdok FC. When they were taken to the trucks they were led along a line of soldiers, who beat them and set dogs on them (most detainees from this group got bitten).

According to Shamsaev, treatment was «more or less humane» in Mozdok FC. Detainees were sometimes beaten only when taken to interrogation at night. He has no complaints about food: they were given dry bread, occasionally canned food — one can for five people, and water.

38. Berdy ARSAEV (Interview taken by Memorial members A.Blinushov and A.Gurianov in Sernovodsk on 20.4.95; State Duma members S.Kovalev, V.Borschev and Iu.Rybakov were also present.)

Arsaev, born in 1953, lives in Samashki at 100 Rabochaya St. He was detained in his house on April 8. Along with other male detainees, he was brought to a bakery. They were made to take off their clothes, except trousers, and shoes. Then, surrounded by several armoured vehicles, they were forced to go to the «camp» (the villagers refer to an army unit base at a former shooting stand in the hills of the Sunzha mountain range several kilometers north of the village). People were forced to run; those who fell behind were kicked and beaten with rifle butts. According to this witness, one wounded villager (Albi Shamsaev, nickname Dudu) was carried in the convoy by his brother and cousins. The guards forced them to put the stretcher on the ground while still in the village, near the railway station. After that there was a shot: the witness suggested that the wounded had been killed. According to him, those who fell behind and fell on the ground were shot. But he failed to prove this allegation: he did not see it with his own eyes

47 because they were not allowed to look back; besides, shots could hardly be heard in the noise of the APC.

In the «camp», all detainees were laid on the ground. The soldiers were walking with the dogs among the detainees.6 Some people were taken aside and beaten.

A group of detainees, including Arsaev, was led to the trucks. The soldiers started beating people heavily and set dogs on them. Arsaev was bitten twice, he got several blows and lost consciousness. He recovered in the truck where people were laid in four layers. Then they were taken to Mozdok by helicopter. Detainees were beaten both during the embarkation and during the flight. In Mozdok most detainees could not walk on their own. Nevertheless, detainees were beaten again when put in the FC carriages.

They were given food only 36 hours after arrival at FC: dry bread, sometimes canned porriage. There were 18 people in the compartment.

At night drunk guards would take out and beat some detainees. Arsaev was not beaten during interrogation: he knows that only some detainees were. Detainees were asked, «Who was a fighter, where were their positions, who started shooting first?»

ICRC representatives visited the FC. Before the visit the guards were threating the detainees, trying to prevent their complaints, «They will go and you will stay here.»

A doctor used to come to the carriage and examine the detainees on request: he was applying iodine to dog bites and bruises from beatings not registering such injuries.

Arsaev was released on April 14, he was given a no grievance statement to sign.

39. Over 15 other villagers from Samashki

They also reported about detention and conditions in the «camp» north of Samashki, at the concentration center near Assinovskaya, at Mozdok FC. Varying in details, they have confirmed what was described in the above reports. However, these people refused to identify themselves for fear of repressions against them and their relatives. All of them bore signs of beatings: on their legs and thighs, shoulders and chest.

* * *

40. A villager from Misker Urt who requested anonymity (Interview record provided by Mr.Dennekamp, an ICRB-Dutch Radio Moscow bureau correspondent, and Mr.Lanting, a Volkskrant correspondent. The authors of this report have the name of the witness on record.)

According to the witness, his nephew, a mentally retarded young man, left his home on April 8 and never returned. The man turned to every authority in Shali district, including commanders of the Russian Army units there. Local residents know that at the 506 Mechanised Brigade base detainees are kept in earth holes. The witness spoke with officers from the Brigade who confirmed the information. Brigade officers claimed that the young man had been detained with a grenade launcher. However, according to the witness, his nephew «does not even know what the automatic rifle is and could not be armed with a grenade launcher».

The detainee may have been transferred to Grozny FC.

48 Eventually, he was exchanged for Russian POWs and his uncle (the witness) brought him home on May 18.

The correspondents saw the witness’s nephew and had the impression that he could not adequately realise what was happening around. There were bruises on his face and body, signs of handcuffs on wrists and ankles and a wound in the back of his head.

41. A villager from Shali who requested anonymity (Interview record provided by Mr.Dennekamp, an ICRB-Dutch Radio Moscow bureau correspondent, and Mr.Lanting, a Volkskrant correspondent. The authors of this report have the name of the witness on record.)

A villager from Shali reported to the correspondents that on May 15 he was driving in his own car towards Teri Urt. He was detained at an MVD checkpoint because of «invalid identity». The witness had his eyes bandaged, was put into an APC and brought to an army base near Shali. There he was kept in a hole 2 by 3 meters, according to his estimates, together with about 20 people. After 18 hours he was released without a single interrogation. The victim reported extortion on the part of the guards, who were offering release for money.

When the witness came to the checkpoint where his car had been left, he saw that it had been robbed: the radio had been stolen, etc.

APPENDIX 2

CERTIFICATE No 34

The present certificate is issued to Amerkhan Israilovich Mutaliev, born 1965, citizen of Grozny, residential address 70-42, Mayakovskogo str., to certify that he was detained in the filtration camp of the city of Mozdok from from January 27, 1995 to January 31, 1995 for identificatiton and that at present he is on the way to his permanent residence: Ekazhevo village, district Nazranovsky.

(The present certificate is valid within seven days)

Head of the filtration camp of the city of Mozdok Leuitenant Colonel of Militia (signature) V.N.Samarin

Seal January 31, 1995

(The certificate is typed and sealed «Office of Military Administration of the provisional Administration —*— Republic of Severnaya Osetiya, district of Mozdok»)

APPENDIX 3

Question lists filled at the filtration camp of the city of Mozdok during the visit of Human Rights Commissioner on february 25 and 26, 1995

Rabizon Usubovich MORGOSHVILI, nationality — Kistin, citizen of Georgia, village Duisi, Ahmad district Detained by Russian MVD special force on February 12 at 10-00 a.m. for «identification» in

49 Assinovskaya village (place of permanent residence of his sister, had been staying with her from December, no registration); detained without weapons. Was carried by helicopter together with three other people. There were 11 more people at the concentration point. Oleg Vladislavovich DVORETSKY, a Ukranian, citizen of Ukraine, residence: 19, 40 years of October street, Petropavlovka, Dnepropetrovsk district Detained by militia on February 15 for «identification» in the carriage-hotel at Mozdok railway station; detained without weapons. Amrudi Nurdiyevich IZMAILOV, a Chechen, citizen of Russia, residence: 44, Zorge street, Rostov-on-Don Detained by soldiers on February 20 for «checking passport» at checkpoint in Sleptsovskaya village on his way home from Nazran to Urus-Martan; detained without weapons. Witness — Badrudi Nurdiyevich IZMAILOV. Was kept at FC from February 21. Dmitry Anatoliyevich TISHCHENKO, a Ukranian, sitizen of Ukraine, residence: 57, Severo Donetskaya str., Donetsk Detained by militia on January 31 for «identification» in the Migration Service of the city of Mozdok under suspicion of being a fighter; detained without weapons. Oleg Yuriyevich BONDAREV, a Russian, citizen of Russia, residence: 18-47, Sakharnozavodskaya str., Jambul, Kazakhstan Detained by patrol on February 12 for «identification» at Chervlenaya-Uzlovaya railway- station; witness — Major of the special department; detained without weapons. Adam Isayevich MALIKOV, nationality — an Awar, citizen of Russia, residence: 126, Proezdnaya str., district Staropromyslovsky, Grozny Detained by MVD officers on February 17 under the charge of forgering documents in Nairy village of Nadterechny district; detained without weapons. Sergei Vladimirovich GERTS, a Russian, citizen of Russia, residence: 162, Pervomaiskaya str., Grozny Detained without documents by Federal Security Service on February 15 at 22-00 in Mozdok for identification; detained without weapons. Sergei Yurievich VANYASHIN, a Russian, citizen of Russia, Grozny Detained without documents by special MVD force on February 17 near Gvardeyskoye village; detained without weapons. Ruslan Musayevich ABDULAYEV, a Chechen, citizen of Russia, residence: 31, Dyakova str., Assinovskaya village Detained by patrol on February 20 (9-00 a.m.) at checkpoint near Assinovskaya village; detained without weapons; there was an old-type 5 roubles banknote in the passport. Formal reason for detainment — «that being Chechen I am allegedebly wanted by the authorities in Kazakhstan for embezzlement» Abu-Sunyan Alaudinovich YAMSUYEV, a Chechen, citizen of Russia, residence: 141/7- 33, B.Khmelnitskogo str., Leninsky district, Grozny Detained at home by a Special Purpose Unit (spetsnaz) on January 9 for identificatiton; detained without weapons; witnesses — neighbours. Salam BAISAROV, age — 64, a Chechen, resident of Assinovskaya village Detained by borderguards without any motivation («for old-type 10 roubles banknote, they considered it to be a password») on February 24 about 11-00 a.m. at crossroads Sernovodsk- Assinovskaya in my car «Moskvich-412". Was heavily beaten. Hasan Abuevich SHAMSUDINOV, a Chechen refugee registered by migration service and MES, lived in Sleptsovskaya, at 18 Iuzhnaya St. (at his relatives’ — Soibat Veshengurova). On February 21, the borderguards stopped a bus going from Urus Martan to Sleptsovskaya. Shamsudinov was detained for living not at his permanent residence address.

APPENDIX 4

50 Persons brought to Pyatigorsk ИЗ 21/2 Establishment from Mozdok.

6.1.95

 1. Amerhanov Magomed Sharnudinovich, born 1966  2. Ahmadov Aslambek Emdievich, 1959  3. Aliev Hamzat Baudinovich, 1969  4. Abuev Saigudi Jandarovich, 1963  5. Abuev Anzor Vahaevich, 1975  6. Abubakarov Hasan Mahmudovich, 1962  7. Bachaev Sivadi Hamidovich, 1951  8. Barahanov Salman Zaindievich, 1963  9. Baisulyanov Bavasar Magomedovich, 1963  10. Batalov Uvas Musaevich, 1969  11. Beldurov Hamzat Mudarovich  12. Borchashvili Kadyr Uvaisovich, 1958  13. Gnilitsa Vladimir Prokofievich, 1945  14. Gabulaev Syanislav Mikhailovich, 1940  15. Gasaniev Rajab Magomedovich, 1959  16. Dudurkaev Ruslan Ramazanovich, 1970  17. Zubairaev Zakrail Sharipovich, 1968  18. Ivchenko Vasily Vasilievich, 1953  19. Ibragimov Beslan Ahmedovich, 1971  20. Kadaev Vaha Said-Ahmedovich, 1939  21. Kapralov Alexander Mikhailovich, 1960  22. Kapralov Sergei Mikhailovich, 1952  23. Kabarchin Vasily Ivanovich, 1954  24. Kashin Nikolai Nikolaevich, 1973  25. Kasaev Umar Bautdinovich, 1931  26. Lorsanov Ramzan Dokaevich, 1947  27. Lobanov Alexander Alexeyevich, 1950  28. Maaev Mairbek Sultanovich, 1976  29. Musostov Boris Aityevich, 1951  30. Musaev Ramzan Said-Ahmedovich, 1954  31. Magomadov Muhaddin Magomedovich, 1948  32. Mustafaev Adam Isakovich, 1963  33. Mosienko Vladimir Ivanovich, 1977  34. Nestsrenko Vasily Nikolaevich, 1955  35. Pushkarev Iury Alexandrovich, 1954  36. Stashishin Vasily Nikolaevich, 1953  37. Sosaev Aindi Abdul-Hamidovich, 1972  38. Sasaev Alvi Abdul-Hamidovich, 1974  39. Sosaev Arbi Abdul-Hamidovich, 1970  40. Tahtaev Gurumbai Abdul-Vahanovich, 1952  41. Hakiev Roman Sultanovich, 1970  42. Hoshkhanov Turpal Lom-Alievich, 1962  43. Hakimov Ruslan Kalamudinovich, 1967  44. Edilhanov Vaha Ahmedovich, 1966  45. Edilhanov Havsav Ahmetovich, 1970  46. Iusuphajiev Islam Isaevich, 1974

51 11.1.95

 1. Amirhanov Urumbai Amirhajievich, 1949  2. Abramov Victor Victorovich, 1975  3. Batalov Musa Mahmudovich, 1946  4. Bashaev Sulema Rohmanovich, 1955  5. Banzhaev Vaha Baaevich, 1959  6. Dunaev Hasmagomed Saidmagamedovich, 1955  7. Zavarzin Victor Vladimirovich, 1955  8. Zakaev Hasan Magomedovich, 1968  9. Kluev Alexander Petrovich, 1962  10. Lulaev Ah’yad Adrahmachovich, 1952  11. Mamadiev Lechi Hasbulatovich, 1961  12. Magomedov Beslan Magomedovich, 1957  13. Mataev Isa Nozhanovich, 1953  14. Merzhuev Adam Usmanovich, 1962  15. Mutiev Abuezid, 1931  16. Polischuk Vasily Andreevich, 1968  17. Soperi David Davidovich, 1968  18. Smirnov Iuri Konstantinovich, 1954  19. Takaev Vahid Kosumovich, 1958  20. Hazhiev Haron Vahaevich, 1957  21. Hajiev Ruslan Abdurahmanovich, 1973  22. Hamidov Vislan Usamovich, 1972  23. Chupanov Magamed Anovraevich, 1961  24. Chizhma Vladimir Anatolievich, 1974

16.1.95

 1. Borchachshvili Dato Amiranovich, 1976  2. Bazaev Magomed Sheikhmagomedovich, 1973  3. Ismailov Islam Isaevich, 1977  4. Meiriev Magomed Maksharipovich, 1976  5. Ozdamirov Jamli Sultanovich, 1960  6. Ugurchiev Ibragim Maksharipovich, 1960  7. Yamsuev Abulsunyan Salautdinovich, 1958  

Under the order of the Head of the Office of Federal Executive Bodies in Chechen Republic I.Agarkov, transported to Znamenskoe for the subsequent release:

 1. Amerhanov Magomed Sharpudinovich, 1966  2. Ahmadov Aslambek Emdievich, 1959  3. Barahanov Salman Zaindievich, 1962  4. Bachaev Sivadi Hamidovich, 1951  5. Lorsanov Ramzan Dokaevich, 1947  6. Mataev Isa Nozhanovich, 1953

Chief of the Establisment ИЗ-21/2, militia Col. B.A.Petrov

52 APPENDIX 5

List of persons held at Stavropol FC (at Stavropol PDF-1) from 19.1.95 to 9.2.95

 1. Abuev Seipudi Jandarovich, born 1963  2. Abuev Anzor Vahaevich, 1975  3. Abubakarov Hasan Mahmudovich, 1962  4. Abramov Victor Victorovich, 1975  5. Amirhajiev Urumbai Amirhajievich, 1949  6. Bashaev Sulema Rahamnovich, 1955  7. Beldurov Hamzat Muradovich, 1963  8. Bazaev Magomed Sheikhmagomedovich, 1973  9. Banzhaev Vaha Baaevich, 1959  10. Borchashvili Dato Amiranovich, 1976  11. Batalov Uvais Musaevich, 1969  12. Baisultanov Buvaisar Magomedovich, 1963  13. Borchashvili Kadyr Uvaisovich, 1958  14. Batalov Musa Mahmudovich, 1946  15. Gasainov Rajab Magomedovich, 1959  16. Gnilitsa Vladimir Prokofievich, 1945  17. Gabulaev Stanislav Mikhailovich, 1940  18. Dudurkaev Ruslan Ramazanovich, 1970  19. Dunaev Hasmagomed Saidmogamedovich, 1955  20. Zakaev Hasan Magomedovich, 1968  21. Zavarzin Victor Vladimirovich, 1955  22. Zubairaev Zakrail Sharipovich, 1968  23. Ivchenko Vasily Vasilievich, 1953  24. Ismailov Islam Isaevich, 1977  25. Kabargin Vasily Ivanovich, 1954  26. Kapralov Alexander Mikhailovich, 1960  27. Kapralov Sergei Mikhailovich, 1952  28. Kadaev Vaha Said-Ahmedovich, 1939  29. Kashin Nikolai Nikolaevich, 1973  30. Kluev Alexander Petrovich, 1962  31. Lobanov Alexander Alexeevich, 1950  32. Lulaev Ah’yad Adrahmanovich, 1952  33. Merzhuev Adam Usmanovich, 1962  34. Ibragimov Beslan Ahmedovich, 1971  35. Mosienko Vladimir Ivanovich, 1977  36. Maaev Mairbek Sultanovich, 1976  37. Musaev Razman Said-Ahmedovich, 1964  38. Mutiev Abuezid, 1931  39. Meiriev Magomed Mahsharipovich, 1976  40. Musostov Boris Aityevich, 1951  41. Mustafaev Adam Isakovich, 1963  42. Magomedov Muhaddin Magomedovich, 1948  43. Magomedov Beslan Magomedovich, 1957  44. Nesterenko Vasily Nikolaevich, 1955  45. Ozdamirov Jamli Sultanovich, 1960  46. Pushkarev Iury Alexandrovich, 1954  47. Polischuk Vasily Andreevich, 1968

53  48. Smirnov Iury Konstantinovich, 1954  49. Soperi David Davidovich, 1968  50. Sosaev Arbi Abdul-Hamidovich, 1970  51. Sosaev Aidni Abdul-Hamidovich, 1972  52. Sosoev Alvi Abdul-Hamidovich, 1974  53. Stashishin Vasily Nikolaevich, 1953  54. Takaev Vahid Kosumovich, 1958  55. Ugurchiev Ibragim Maksharipovich, 1960  56. Takhtaev Gurumbai Abdul-Vahabovich, 1952  57. Hamidov Vislan Usamovich, 1972  58. Hajiev Ruslan Abdurahmanovich, 1973  59. Hoshkhanov Turpal Lom-Alievich, 1963  60. Hazhiev Haron Vahaevich, 1957  61. Hakimov Ruslan Kalamudinovich, 1967  62. Chizhma Vladimir Anatolievich, 1974  63. Chupanov Magomed Anovraevich, 1961  64. Edilhanov Hazvar Ahmetovich, 1970  65. Edilhanov Vaha-Ahmetovich, 1966  66. Iusuphajiev Islam Isaevich, 1974  67. Yamsuev Abulsunyan Salautdinovich, 1958

Chief of the Establishment ИЗ 21/1 militia Col. I.P.Sobolev

APPENDIX 6

Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Head of Federal Executive Bodies in Chechen Republic

To: PDF 2 Chief Stavropol Regional MVD Command

City of Stavropol

Several persons of Chechen nationality have been detained in the course of fighting in Chechen Republic by the Russian Army and MVD units. Due to established absence of guilt, I hereby reqest to release the following citizens of the Russian Federation, who have been held in the establishment under Your command since late December 1994 — early January 1995: Sivadi Bachaev, Ramzan Lorsanov, Magomed Amerhanov, Aslanbek Ahmadov, Salman Barahanov, Ayub Bashanov, Hasmagoda Ismailov, Ahtu Zhalilovich Magomadov, Usman Magomadov, Ahmed Magamadovich Magamadov, Amerkhan Bakanaev, Daud Isaev, Salman Didiev, Ah’yad Bulaev, Isa Mataev, Aslan Nanahaev, Uniir Ismailov; and entrust them to the authority of the Chechen Republic MVD. According to our information, Salman Barahanov and Aslanbek Ahmadov have had 16 million roubles and $ 1000. In case the above mentioned persons have been transferred to establishments in other regions of Russia, I would request to be officially informed. For the purpose of the identification of the above mentioned persons and their susequent escort to the village of Znamenskoe, the following plenipotentiary representatives of the Chechen Republic MVD will be arriving: 1. Ilias Mutusovich Sigauri

54 2. Ruslan Idrisovich Davletukaev. I would also request You to forward lists of Chechen Republic citizens detained in the Republic in the course of hostilities. Head of the Office of Federal Executive Bodies in Chechen Republic I.Agarkov

APPENDIX 7

(A replica of this document was obtained in Stavropol PDF. The documen is hand written on a blank sheet of paper and sealed: Russian Federation Court of Arms and the following inscription, «PROCURACY OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION. Procuracy of Mozdok dist. of the Republic of N. Osset.»)

Approved Sanctioned Deputy Head NO MVD RF Caucuses Regional Deputy Procurator militia Col. Counsellor (Judiciary) signature Proschalykin Iu.M signature Ivanov

« 9 » January 1995 « 9 » January 1995

Warrant to detain a person engaged in vagrancy and begging

«____» January 1995 hrs. min.

I, Chief of the SO MVD RF group, militia Col. Vysotsky, having sonsidered the case of [a person], born 1972 in Grozny,

Has found:

the person ... was in Grozny without identity papers on ... January 1995 and was detained by a patrol.

Based on the above noted and in compliance with the Presidential Decree «On Measures to Prevent Vagrancy and Begging»,

Has ruled:

The person ... to be detained and taken to a receiving-distribution center for identification.

Chief of the SO MVD RF group militia Col. (signature) Vysotsky

I was acquainted with the Warrant (the signature is lacking) Name of the detainee

APPENDIX 8 Moscow News, N 17, March 12-19 1995

55 The Moscow News weekly N 11, February 12-19, 1995 has published an article Filtration Gulag by Ludmila Leontieva concerning the Russian MVD filtration camp in Mozdok. Under the Russian Federation Presidential Decree «On Measures on Prevention Illegal Armed Formation Activities in Chechen Republic and in the Ingush-Ossetian Conflict Zone» N 2166 dated December 9, 1994, and the Russian Federation Government Regulation «On Enforcing State Security and Territorial Integrity of the Russian Federation, Rule of Law, Rights and Freedoms of Citizens, Disarmament of Illegal Armed Formations in Chechen Republic and Adjacent Territories of the North Caucuses» N 1360 dated December 9, 1994, while exercising complex measures to restore the constitutional order in Chechen Republic, citizens are being administratively detained on the legal basis for the purpose of identification and establishing their liability for grave crimes. Detainees are held in the two special carriages at Mozdok railway station. Legal grounds for the detention are being supervised by the regional procuracy. Over 70% of detainees are released from the FC after having been identified. They are sent to the Russian Federal Migration Service Mozdok center, where they are provided with refugee certificates, financial allowance, and assisted in resettlement. There were no cases of death or disappearance during the FC existence. L.Leontieva’s publication is of biased and accusing character, and is based upon unreliable data, and serves the interests of those who are not interested in stabilizing the situation in the North Caucuses. With the purpose of the objective coverage of the Mozdok FC activities, Main Department for Execution of Punishment would be ready to organize the author’s, or other journalists’ of your weekly, visit to the FC.

Russian Federation MVD Main Department for Execution of Punishment Head Iu.I.Kalinin

56

Load more

  56

Copy Link