Human Rights Center "Memorial"

"Mopping-up" in the village of Tstotsin-Iurt (25^th March – 1^st April 2002)

At the same time as General V.Moltenskoi published order number 80 'Concerning measures regarding the increased activity of local government bodies, the population, law enforcement agencies of the Russian Federation in the fight against violations of the law and responsibilities of officials for the violation of law and order in the event of carrying out special operations and identification checks of people and places in the populated areas of the Chechen Republic', Russian servicemen carried out a 'mopping-up' operation from 25^th March until 1^st April 2002 in the village of Tsotsin-Iurt, Kurchaloevskii region.

According to information from INTERFAX-AVN with reference to the head of the region's administration ; the undermining gave rise to the carrying out of a special operation in the outskirts of the village in a mine field by armoured vehicles of federal forces, but also an armed clash with armed units of the Chechen Republic; one soldier was killed.

According to the stories of the locals, on the 24^th March in the village near the home of Shamil' Naibov, there was an exchange of fire between officials from the POM (Local Militia Office) and five members of the armed unit of the Chechen Republic. The result of this skirmish was that two members of the POM were killed. Members of the armed unit of the Chechen Republic covered up the scene. The soldiers continued to fire in the place where it happened for a long time afterwards. Homes of peaceful locals were in the zone of fire and as a consequence several of them were seriously damaged:the houses of Shamil' Naibov and his neighbour Makhma were destroyed, the house of Inderbek was burnt down. After this the shooting stopped, officials of the POM carried out the 'mopping-up' in the street, where there was an armed clash. The majority of inhabitants from this street hurriedly abandoned their homes right at the beginning of the skirmish, therefore the majority of the houses were empty. Khava, Naibov's wife was arrested because the house of the Naibovs' neighbour had been robbed. Khava Naibova was released on the same day.

On the night of 24^th-25^th March the village of Tsotsin-Iurt was blockaded by Russian servicemen. In the morning officials of the Temporary Department of Internal Affairs (VOVD) entered the village from the eastern side and the commandant's office of Kurchaloevskii region. (VOVD- the structure of which consists of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, in fact fulfilling functions in the territory of the Chechen Republic for the Regional Departments of Internal Affairs [ROVD]. In the VOVD officials of the militia, who serve in various regions of Russia are ordered to Chechnya. In parallel with the VOVD in the Chechen Republic function the RUVD as well, where local militiamen serve. Though the ROVD are present in the majority of regions in Chechnya [except Nadterechnyi and Shelkovskii] in reality they do not have any real authority) Officials of the Regional Department of Internal Affairs (ROVD) were not allowed into the area where the special operation was being carried out on the first day. On the 26^th March their men were allowed to be brought forward by Chechen militiamen and surrounded the outskirts of the village, but in the following days they were removed from there.

At the time the 'mopping-up' took place in the village, a representative from the military office of public prosecutors was present, lieutenant-colonel Dima (surname unknown).

The special operation proceeded as usual: they arrested all males from 14 years of age and older without restrictions and they were brought to the temporary filter point (which was stationed in the location of the POM). The exceptions consisted of those who were able to find the means to pay off the soldiers. Therefore, for example a local of the village Tsotsin-Iurt, Salavdi payed a soldier who demanded five thousand roubles and they did not take him away.

In total during the 'mopping-up' approximately 300 persons were arrested. They were all tortured and beaten. According to eyewitnesses, even the head of the village's administration Truko Dikaev could not avoid being caught up in the 'mopping-up.' On 25^th March the head of the village's administration was cruelly beaten, although he himself claimed that there had been no claims by the said special operation on him.

Abumuslim Shovkhalov, an elder and member of the council was beaten up and wounded in his hip.

All those who went through the filter were forced to sign a document that they were not put to torture, were not beaten and there were no claims to do these things.

14 local people were not released by the soldiers:

1-3 the brothers Khadzhimuradovyi: Borz-Ali Mairbekovich, Borz-Khati Mairbekovich, Islambek Mairbekovich (arrested 27^th March)

4-6 the brothers Muzaevyi:Umar Shidaevich, Lom-Ali Shidaevich, Ali-Khadzhi Shidaevich (arrested 29^th March)

7-9 the brothers Akhmadovy: Usman Turpal-Alievich, born 1952, Said-Ali Turpal-Alievich, Said-Amin Turpal-Alievich (arrested 28^th March)

10 Said-Akhmed Abukhasanovich Khasimikov, born 1958 (arrested 30^th March)

11 Shamsudi Khozaev (Khotaev), 20 years old (arrested 26^th March)

12 El'bek Sharipovich Khasaev (Khasiev) (arrested 26^th March)

13 Dzhabrail Kosumovich Tashukhadzhiev, born 1976 (arrested 26^th March)

14 El'bek Said-Emievich Madaev (Mudaev) (arrested 26^th March)

All of these, according to preliminary data, were held at IVS, village Kurchalaia. The reasons why these people were arrested is unknown.

In the village the events of the armed robbery and looting were stated (in the photo-Tsotsin-Iurt, a room in a house after a search). Everything that presented itself of any kind of value (video equipment, carpets, money) the servicemen, without a moment's hesitation, took these things. In the category of 'valuable items' was included livestock: cows, sheep, chickens etc.

Soldiers entered the majority of houses several times. For example, early in the morning soldiers went into the home of Lech Vakhabov, born 1937, but after some time left. After lunch the same soldiers returned, but on four armoured personnel carriers there was no identification number, they forced Lech Vakhabov and his daughter-in-law with two children onto the street, after which they approached close to the home in their armoured vehicles, knocked out the window frames and took out all the valuables through the window: television, electric fan, electric kettle, imported bed linen and other items.

The homes of Adam Gelaev, Elemkh Minkailov, Makhmud Bataev, Il'ias Askhabov, Adaev were robbed. A pogrom was also organised in the local school: school furniture was broken and turned over, visual teaching aids were strewn about and ruined (see photo).

They ransacked and then blew up the homes of Birlant Vakhaevaia-Dadaevaia, who lived on Sherpova Street, Mairbek Iriskhanov, Abdulla Magashev.

According to official data (a group of social connections UFSB in Chechnya), they carried verification of their names and addresses: 15 local people were arrested under suspicion of participation in the armed units of the Chechen Republic (from one of them was removed a diagram of how to assemble a home made explosive device).