Czech fraudster detained in ChechnyaBy Ruslan Isayev and Tomas Vrsovsky
GROZNY/PRAGUE – Migration authorities in Chechnya have detained Hana Demeterova, a Czech citizen who is charged with violating the local law on foreigners. According to unofficial reports, Demeterova is a fraudster who has swindled a large number of people in the North Caucasus and elsewhere.
An official at the local branch of Russia's Federal Migration Service says that Demeterova is being accused of entering Chechnya when she only had permission to enter Ingushetia. In addition, law enforcement officials may also want to question her about her activities in the North Caucasus, he said, adding that that the woman is currently in the Migration Service building, where she is giving evidence.
The Moscow office of the Russian “Children’s Hearts” charity told Prague Watchdog that Demeterova does not work for their foundation, as some media reported earlier today. “She only came to us – in the capacity of an ordinary citizen – to request assistance for two Chechens, who did in fact receive it.”
A representative of the Grozny-based Liba humanitarian foundation (Fond Liba) said that although Demeterova had coordinated projects for them in Kabardino-Balkaria, two years ago they had broken off contact with her, as she did “terrible things” there.
Chechen sources told Prague Watchdog that Demeterova also tried to act as a manager of the well-known Chechen rap group "Yurt-da". She told the musicians that the famous Czech hockey star Jaromir Jagr loves their music and would sponsor them.
A well-informed Czech source has told Prague Watchdog that a year ago Demeterova worked as a representative of the Nalchik-based Elbrus-Avia passenger airline. "At the time, a regular flight was scheduled to open between Prague and Nalchik, but nothing ever came of it. Demeterova was supposed to set the whole thing up and attract Czech businessmen, but it was a complete flop." The airline flew only one flight and then ceased activity on the route.
"Demeterova also said that in the past she had worked for a number of Czech humanitarian organizations, but that wasn’t true," the source stated, adding that in his view the woman did not appear trustworthy at all.
Czech humanitarian organizations working in the North Caucasus tonight disassociated themselves from Demeterova, saying they did not know the woman.
At the time of writing Demeterova could not be reached for comment.
(Translation by DM) (D/T) RELATED ARTICLES:
· A swindler from the Czech Republic (Severny Kavkaz, 22.5.2007)
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