Ingushetia: Ismail Tsechoev's relatives complain about pressure by power agents

Relatives of Ismail Tsechoev, who was kidnapped and beaten in November 2011, claimed being pressured and threatened by law enforcement agents.

Let us remind you that on November 24, 2011, the residents of the village of Ordzhonikidzevskaya in Ingushetia claimed on kidnapping of their relative Ismail Tsechoev. According to them, during the kidnapping several power agents in masks forced Ismail Tsechoev out from the house into the street and started beating him. The rest power agents searched the house, photographed the documents of all family members and took the passport and the mobile phone of Ismail. According to Tsechoev's family members, after the search, they found disappearance of valuables and some documents.

"We receive threats to our address. We are asked to withdraw our complaints of torture, unlawful searches, stealing money and property. They even prepared counter-complaints on behalf of Ismail and his mother and brought them to sign," say the Tsechoev family members.

According to the relatives of the victim, the pressure is being put on Bashir, the older brother of Ismail, who in 2008 was convicted and is serving his sentence term in the colony in Pskov.

"Bashir was visited by the FSB officers, and they threatened and told him that if we did not withdraw our complaint, he and another brother, who was serving his sentence term in Khabarovsk, and relatives in Ingushetia would have problems. Besides, the FSB officers also offered to withdraw the charge against Ismail of illegal possession of weapons in case if we withdrew our complaint. To do that, Bashir has to say that a grenade and ammunitions belonged to him," say the Tsechoev family members.

According to them, Taldiev, ex-Chief of the Centre for Combating Extremism (CCE), Timur Khamkhoev, the CCE's staff member, and officers from the Sunzha ROVD (District Interior Division) contacted them demanding to withdraw their complaint.

"We have been told that if we withdraw our complaint, they will suspend the case and give us the stolen items back. Ismail was offered to sign the statement that he was kidnapped and beaten by unidentified persons and that he said for fear that this was done by the FSB officers. It became clear from the conversation that they were hustling to prevent removal of one of the visiting FSB officer from his position," specify the Tsechoev family members.

Magomed Gandarov, the Ismail Tsechoev's lawyer, reported in the fact that his client is subjected to pressure to force him to withdraw his complaint.