Alkhanov: “Number of kidnappings hasn’t declined”Timur Aliyev, North Caucasus – Kidnappings are still continuing in Chechnya, and the number of cases has not declined, announced the Chechen Interior Minister Alu Alkhanov at a June 17 press conference in Grozny.
Alkhanov assumes that "in many cases" the Russian military is involved as local residents have reported seeing "federal soldiers as well as armoured personnel carriers" in areas where kidnappings have occurred.
However, he does not rule out that an estimated 70 percent of the kidnapped victims have criminal pasts. “Nevertheless, I do not condone this type of action,” he said. “You have to charge someone first so that he knows what he’s being tried for.”
Alkhanov believes that preventive measures must be taken to counter similar acts, and therefore it is essential that a department be formed to combat organized crime. “At present there is no subdivision in the Chechen Interior Ministry that deals with kidnappings,” he stated.
He also stresses the importance of prompt arrival at the scene of a crime. “It is no secret that the police never showed up at a crime scene at night, so a plan is now being formed to change this.”
The minister feels it will take a couple of months to set up a system that would effectively counter kidnappings, “and the regional operational staff must be the ones to start the ball rolling.”
He does admit however, that in general there has been a decline in illegal acts within the republic. “Since the beginning of this year there have been 200 less crimes committed than within the same period last year,” he announced.
Alkhanov also pointed out that “although some progress has been made, we must not fool ourselves and the public into becoming complacent". Efficiency in solving cases remains at the same level, and the number of serious crimes has increased, including killings, explosions, and terrorism.
He remarked that under the republic's planned transfer of command of the "counter-terrorist operation" from the Federal Security Service to the Interior Ministry of the Chechen Republic, the primary responsibility
would then fall on the Russian and Chechen Interior Ministries. Alkhanov anticipates that due to this transfer, various police forces will have to more closely coordinate their activities.
(D/E,T) |
