GROZNY/MOSCOW. Oct 20 (Interfax-AVN) - Over 300 people were kidnapped in Chechnya this year, Chechen Deputy Prosecutor General Movsur Khamidov told Interfax on Monday.
"Some 300 people have been kidnapped in Chechnya since the beginning of this year. These people are mainly civilians, but some are law enforcement officials. Their fate is still unknown," Khamidov, who is responsible for liaising with law enforcement structures in the Chechen government, said.
Khamidov said the number of kidnappings has recently decreased in Chechnya. "Now, there are practically no kidnappings in comparison with 2000-2002. This was achieved through the set of measures taken by the regional headquarters (directing the anti-guerilla operation in the North Caucasus - Interfax) and the republic's administration," Khamidov said.
"The decrease in the number of kidnappings was also promoted by the security measures taken in Chechnya for the presidential elections and the president's inauguration," he said.
Khamidov said the Chechen administration is planning to take new steps to eradicate kidnappings. "We are working on a mechanism which will eliminate kidnappings. Kidnappings are one of the key issues influencing the situation in Chechnya. If we put an end to kidnapping, it can be said that half the work has been done," he said.
The government of Chechnya intends to ensure that all kidnappings are thoroughly investigated and that a single database of people who have gone missing over the past years is created. He said some of these people may be rebels. "In any case, it is necessary to work on determining the fate of all missing people. If a person has committed a crime, his guilt should be determined by the courts. If he is guilty, he will be punished, and if he is innocent, he will be released," Khamidov said.