Life Stealers

In the North Caucasus, kidnappings, torture and extrajudicial persecution of residents by security forces have become common practice

The problem of kidnapping by security forces, torture and extrajudicial persecution in the Caucasus is extremely acute.

However, law enforcement agencies and authorities prefer not to notice this problem. Even when human rights activists and journalists have obvious evidence in their hands. This time, “Caucasian Politics” had unique materials at its disposal - video recordings from CCTV cameras that recorded the moment of the abduction of Nalchik resident Inal Berov by security forces on February 6 of this year. The editors also publish a statement by Murad Berov, the father of the kidnapped Inal, explaining how the events unfolded on that ill-fated day and revealing all the cynicism and monstrosity of the actions on the part of the next werewolves in uniform.

Commissioner for Human Rights under the Head of the KBR
Public Chamber of the KBR
To the Chairman of the Human Rights Center of the CBD
Human Rights Center "Memorial"
Committee “Mothers of the CBD for the rights and freedom of citizens”

From a resident of Nalchik, Muradin Berov
KBR, Nalchik st. Ingushskaya 26
tel: 89094876943

on the fact of the kidnapping and beating of his son -
Berov Inal Muradinovich born in 1983,
law enforcement officers

On 03/06/12 at about 18:30 in the evening, armed people in civilian uniform burst into our garage (Ingushskaya St., 26), threatening with weapons and after hitting him on the head with the butt of a machine gun, kidnapped my son. The thieves drove up to the garage building in three cars of the following models: a light-colored VAZ 2121 Niva, a VAZ 21014 and a VAZ 21015. There were about 9 people in total. Having pushed the exhausted son into one of the cars, the attackers fled in an unknown direction. The moment of the abduction was recorded by a surveillance camera installed in the garage.

Having slightly recovered from the horror of what had happened, I drove up to the building of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic to file a statement about the abduction of my son by armed people. But contrary to expectations, I was not allowed to see the duty officer and was advised to leave the territory. To my assumption about the possibility of my son being in the building of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the security (there were about 4 of them) responded with a categorical denial and advised me to look in other departments. In horror and despair at what was happening, I drove back home to warm up and come to my senses. On the way home, I stopped at the Nalchik prosecutor's office and filed a complaint about the kidnapping of my son. Afterwards he also filed a statement with the investigative committee of the republic. The next day, around lunchtime, my son called my phone and said that he was on Prospect. Kuliev near the building of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. I met him at the garage, he was standing with a group of comrades. His condition was serious, depressed voice, heavy gaze, bodily injuries, abrasions. His posture was crooked, he winced all the time (referring to pain) and held his lower back.

Later, my son told me how things stood: “In the car, during the entire journey, they beat me, hit me on the head with the butt of a machine gun. Then they brought me to the Ministry of Internal Affairs building, took me into an office and threw me on the floor. Soon people entered (about 15 people), who, threatening with violence, demanded to “voluntarily” sign confessions of committing a crime. Namely, participation in a robbery committed last year. They cited testimony from people I knew who allegedly confirmed my guilt.

In response to my refusal, having previously bandaged my eyes and tied my hands with tape, beatings and torture began: pricking my fingers with a sharp object, which, according to them, was infected with HIV; passed an electric current through electrodes attached to the fingers; hit the spine with a rifle butt, etc. At the same time, in between tortures, psychological treatment was carried out to induce them to commit a crime, hinting at the pointlessness of resistance. The torture continued until 12 o'clock at night, I lost consciousness several times. Having failed to achieve their criminal result, they first took an explanation from me about my non-involvement with people I knew who were suspected of criminal acts, and escorted me out into the street. At the same time, they threatened to plant prohibited items in the event of a complaint to the relevant authorities regarding the beating and torture.”

Their cynical attitude is outrageous: after everything that happened, showing some nobility, they gave me money for the trip and asked me to understand them, not to take everything to heart, because they are not bad guys, it’s just that due to the specifics of their work they have to resort to similar methods.

The facts set out in the complaint are confirmed by the materials of the medical examination and the conclusion of the forensic medical examination.

I earnestly ask you to assist in the investigation of what happened and to bring all those responsible to justice.

Sincerely,

Berov M. 03/14/2012

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