Ingush opposition rally dispersed in Nazran By Ruslan Isayev
INGUSHETIA – In Nazran, local law enforcement bodies working with the help of Russian military have dispersed a rally by the Ingush opposition, which is demanding the resignation of the republic’s President, Murat Zyazikov. The protest, which should have taken place at 10am today, was unable to begin.
From early morning onwards, large forces of Ingush OMON and federal soldiers were concentrated on Ploshchad Soglasiya [Concord Square] in the city centre and adjacent streets. When they saw the fighting mood of the law enforcers, residents who arrived for the rally did not dare to enter the square and could only watch developments from the various streets, where they stood in groups of 10-15.
At around 10.15am a group of 15-20 youths tried to enter the square along the avenue. Before they had even had time to unfurl the banner they had brought, OMON riot police moved towards them from both sides and dispersed them using batons and tear gas.
In response, the youths began to throw stones and Molotov cocktails prepared in advance. The riot police used electroshock weapons. Five or six youths from this group were severely beaten, thrown into GAZ vehicles with barred windows and taken to Nazran police headquarters.
Witnessing this scene, another group of youths tried to enter the square from a parallel street, but their attempt was foiled by a mobile detachment of military spetsnaz commandos who opened fire over their heads.
At around 11am unidentified persons hurled Molotov cocktails into Hotel Assa and the editorial offices of the government newspaper Serdalo, which is located beside Ploshchad Soglasiya. The fire was successfully brought under control.
There has even been an attempt to organize riots in the city – groups of youths overturned several cars that were standing on the kerb near the square.
Now, around noon, two helicopters are patrolling overhead, most probably in order to determine the location of the groups of youths around the square and to transmit information to the ground forces, which are quite literally chasing them in order to capture them.
No more than 200 people arrived for the rally, but because they were not permitted to assemble the protest action as such did not take place. Several journalists covering the events in Nazran were detained.
The rally participants do not intend to accept their defeat. A new rally is scheduled for February 23. (Translation by DM) (T) RELATED ARTICLES:
· Ingush public worried about the situation in the republic (PW, 14.12.2007)
· Views of voters in Ingushetia (PW, 4.12.2007)
· Human rights defender and journalists kidnapped and beaten in Nazran (PW, 24.11.2007, in Russian)
· Tension continues in Ingushetia (PW, 23.11.2007)
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