Purge in NGO office

The Information Center of the Council of NGOs, the office of which is in the town of Nazran, Ingushetia, was purged on January 12. Activists of the organization do not know what reason FSB (Federal Security Service) officers could have for conducting the action. Two of the people present in the office were correspondents of the Caucasian Knot Internet news agency.

Head of the Information Center Taisa Isayeva thinks that yesterday's incident showed the lack of professionalism of Ingush special services. "They stood women at the wall, poked at each of them with a pistol or automatic rifle, and made two men lie down on the floor, special operations fighters standing over each of them. No one was allowed to move and ask questions, and no explanations were given. They took away mobile phones and gave them back only before leaving. They took away our two computers without any grounds for it. When we asked them to give a receipt that they seized them or present any document giving them such a right, a man, who introduced himself as an investigator, said there was no necessity for it," Ms Isayeva said.

The Information Center of the Council of NGOs has been working since the spring of 2002. The activity of the organization is aimed at defending human rights. The organization's website, which is temporarily closed because of problems with financing, published information about developments in Chechnya and violations of human rights and freedoms both on the territory of the republic and in the camps and places of Chechen refugees' compact residence in Ingushetia.