June 26th 2003 · Prague Watchdog

Protesters in Shali demand an end to military operations


Ruslan Isayev, Northern Caucasus – Nearly 1,500 people demonstrated on June 23, in the town of Shali, many carrying banners demanding an end to military operations and a release of all illegally held detainees.

The protestors were residents from settlements in the Shali district, a region in which mop-up operations had recently escalated, resulting in the disappearance of over twenty people since the beginning of the year.

“They promised us stabilization after the referendum, but instead matters have worsened. My son was arrested three days after the referendum. So how can I trust an administration that took him away from me?” said a resident of Mesker-Yurt.

The protest lasted three hours without incident.

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