Russian Federation: Amnesty International calls for an independent investigation
into Chechen fighter's death
Amnesty International calls on the Russian authorities to conduct a prompt, independent
and impartial investigation into the death in custody of prominent Chechen fighter
Salman Raduyev and make all the findings public. Salman Raduyev was found dead
over the weekend in his cell in a high-security prison, where he was serving a
life sentence for his role in taking more than 2 000 people hostage in 1996.
"Given the widespread use of torture and ill-treatment in the Russian penitentiary
system, there must be an independent investigation into the exact cause of death
of Salman Raduyev," the human rights organization said.
Background
Salman Raduyev was accused of involvement in 1996 in the hostage-taking in the
southern Russian republic of Dagestan, neighbouring the Chechen Republic, which
left some eighty people dead. Two months after the incident he was severely wounded
in an assassination attempt and had to undergo extensive plastic surgery abroad
to rebuild his face. Raduyev was captured by Russian security forces in 2000.
Shortly before his death, he was reportedly interrogated by the Russian authorities
in connection with the extradition case against the Chechen politician, Akhmed
Zakayev.
For further information contact the Russia Press Officer Lydia Aroyo on +44 20
7413 5599 or +44 7798 555 629, e-mail: laroyo@amnesty.org; or the Russia Researcher
Kim Wiesener on +44 20 7413 5618.
Visit the Amnesty International Russia Campaign website: http://www.amnesty.org/russia
Public Document
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For more information please call Amnesty International's press office
in London, UK, on +44 20 7413 5566
Amnesty International, 1 Easton St., London WC1X 0DW. web: http://www.amnesty.org
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