Grozny, 12 September 1997 (RFE/RL) - The Chechen Interior Ministry reported today another kidnapping in Russia's breakaway Caucasus republic.
Russian news agencies, citing the Interior Ministry, said the latest victim is Antuan Arakelian, the vice-president of the Russian Ethnic Associations, who was kidnapped overnight. Itar-tass said Arakelian had been seized from his home in the town of Ivanovo by six unidentified armed men.
Chechnya has seen a wave of abductions, some of them for ransom, after the end of its 21-month war with Moscow. Earlier this week Russia threatened to pull out of a deal with Grozny to repair a pipeline through Chechnya unless the safety of its workers was guaranteed.
Russian news agencies, citing the Interior Ministry, said the latest victim is Antuan Arakelian, the vice-president of the Russian Ethnic Associations, who was kidnapped overnight. Itar-tass said Arakelian had been seized from his home in the town of Ivanovo by six unidentified armed men.
Chechnya has seen a wave of abductions, some of them for ransom, after the end of its 21-month war with Moscow. Earlier this week Russia threatened to pull out of a deal with Grozny to repair a pipeline through Chechnya unless the safety of its workers was guaranteed.