CHECHNYA LINKS LIBRARY

Inhabitant of Argun kidnapped, then ransomed

Ruslan Isayev

ARGUN, Chechnya - Cases of people being kidnapped for ransom are continuing unabated in Chechnya. On 4 July, an inhabitant of the town of Argun, Abdi Zaypulayev, was kidnapped by unidentified people.

Zaypulayev apparently held a large sum of money, with which he was going to pay workers helping him with construction work.

Two days into his kidnapping, relatives received an anonymous phone call. The caller demanded a sum of 200,000 rubles (7,000 dollars) for his release. On 8 July, Abdi Zaypulayev, badly beaten by his kidnappers, was set free.

Relatives refused to reveal details of his release, but neighbours confirmed a ransom had been paid.

(MG/E,A,B)