One of the main problems in the North Caucasus is search for missing and kidnapped people. In some North Caucasus republics there are hundreds of them, in others – thousands. In Chechnya the problem became sharp after conduction of the counter-terrorist operation. Tamara Kagirova, the head of the regional social organization Search for Missing, told VK about the process of searching.
- Tamara Akhmedovna, how many people are registered as missing today in Chechnya?
- We have no accurate information, but officially 5 thousand people are recognized as the missing. Today we continue to form the data base, i.e. application inter vivos information about the missing. At the moment we have 3725 application forms, and they are included into the data base of the peacemaking mission. Recently we have begun to collect DNA data of relatives; 188 analysis have been made already. Blood samples are taken for forming the common DNA base and comparison them with bones of buried bodies. We were in a hurry to make the analysis, as some parents of the missing are more than 90 years. The missing lists include those who got lost in the first campaign 1995, some were missed in 2009, most of them got lost during the second campaign.
- Does the official statistics differ from the real data?
- I think it does. Some people didn’t request on missing relatives at all. Recently we have found the address where nine people were missed from one house alone. And there are many such families. The Internal Affairs Ministry says about 3 thousands, we say about 5 thousands, but in reality the number might be much bigger.
- Do you deal with missing Chechens only or with all people missed in Chechnya?
- We are working not only with Chechnya residents. People from of other regions – Dagestan, Ingushetia, and the Voronezh Region – are sending requests to us. I have letters from mothers from the Saratov Regions who are searching for sons-soldiers.
- How is your work organized? Do you have any federal card-catalogue? What technical facilities do you have?
- There is no card-catalogue. We collect information in villages, apply to the authorities, visit houses, sometimes people send us information. We check whether a person is registered in our data base. If a person is not registered, we prepare a file about him or her. Some resources were sent to the republican medicolegal investigation bureau. Big sums of money were allocated for analysis of blood in the Russian Medicolegal Investigation Center. Passports prepared there are given to investigation bodies and relatives of the missing.
- If a burial is found, how could people be identified if they have no documents?
- We take a picture of a burial and register it in the special burial map. However, none of burials have been uncovers, because we have no permission. At the moment collecting of DNA data of relatives is the most important thing. There are many burials in Chechnya. The last burial was shown to us by local residents who said that the bodies were carried by military men. 21 bodies were buried there. We talk to witnesses and write down information.
- Do you use international experience?
- We do not use international experience, but would like to learn about it. Our organization is a partner of the interregional social organization “General Lebed Peacemaking Mission.” They have 10 years of experience in the sphere of searching for the missing, release of hostages, uncovering of burials of conflicts’ victims. The mission was founded in the North Caucasus in 1998, and it is working in the whole region. Our conferences are attended by experts from the Council of Europe, we take their consultations on some issues.
- How are cases of kidnapping investigated?
- There are cases, the work is progressing, but we have no results. It seems there is no order from the top. It is like the Bermuda Triangle. We wait and hope. Relatives of the missing prepared an address to Vladimir Putin. They ask to organize a meeting, to talk with them and discuss the problem. We voted for him, as we think he is a strong leader and can help us.
- Do you have cases when a missing was found in jails or militant groups or elsewhere?
- There are such cases. Recently sister of a missing addressed to us. During the war her brother was arrested at the checkpoint in Argun, we filled an application form on him. But now his location is known. A resident of Chechnya who came from Uzbekistan reported to his relatives that a Chechen man was living there. He used to be though a missing, he had no documents, was sick and permanently lost his memory. The other case: after 12 years a missing returned home. During all these years there was no news from him. In 1995 he was arrested in Moscow and later sent to prison. There are many such cases. We should hope and wait.
- When will a laboratory on identification of bodies appear in Chechnya? And is it necessary?
- It is necessary. We have burials and we need a laboratory. We hope the new president of the country will settle the issue. At least we will address to him. All people who lost their relatives during two wars have a right to know about fate of their children, brothers, sisters.
- What is your attitude to establishment of the federal interdepartmental commission on search for the missing?
- Without it everything is in vain. We, social organizations, could gain some power. I don’t know whether we manage to do it or not. The commission is vital for solving these problems.
Interview by Timur Utsoyev, Grozny. Exclusively to VK
