Three years on and Khanty-Mansiysk abduction case continuesRuslan Isayev, North Caucasus – The court case concerning the abduction of Grozny resident, Zelimkhan Murdalov, by members of the OMON [special police forces] deployed to Chechnya from the Russian town of Khanty-Mansiysk has continued now for three years, with another session held in Grozny on October 18.
The accused is Sergei Lapin, a member of the Khanty-Mansiysk OMON unit stationed in Chechnya. His colleagues say that it was he who was responsible for the “disappearance” of Murdalov, who has not been seen since his arrest.
Zelimkhan’s father, Astemir Murdalov, was present at the hearing. The prosecution was interested in the fact that Sergei Lapin remains a member of the police force in Khanty-Mansiysk even though he has been implicated in an abduction case and had to pledge not to leave Russia.
In addition, Lapin arrives at the hearing accompanied by armored personnel carriers and colleagues from the OMON, who surround the court building, all of which, says the prosecution, affects their representatives and the members of the court.
After brief discussions, the case was adjourned. Even though Astemir Murdalov asked for only a few days for his lawyer to arrive, the next session will be in a month’s time, on November 17. (S/T)
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