“Special operation” imposed on refugee camp SatsitaRuslan Isayev, North Caucasus - This morning Russian military and Chechen law enforcement units raided Satsita, the Chechen tent refugee camp on the outskirts of Ordzhonikidzevskaya, Ingushetia.
Men dressed in military uniforms and wearing masks arrived in several armoured personnel carriers and military UAZ jeeps and began a search of the tents.
According to camp residents, the soldiers taking part in this operation were cursing and had sworn to avenge the recent bombing in the Moscow metro, saying they were going to burn down two villages in revenge for the explosion.
The search lasted about two or three hours during which five men were arrested. But as the military convoy tried to leave the camp, refugees blocked the way; and it was the women who finally managed to get the men released.
Chechen human rights defender Ruslan Badalov stated that this was an act of intimidation to force the camp residents to leave and go to Chechnya.
He said that Chechen authorities have now begun increasing pressure on the Chechen refugees living in Ingushetia. There is no other explanation for this except intimidation since Satsita residents are repeatedly screened by Ingush authorities, Badalov added.
Satsita is one of the two remaining Chechen tent refugee camps in Ingushetia. (T/E) RELATED ARTICLES:
· Raid on refugee camp Satsita (more details)
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