The President of the Russian Federation

Dmitry Anatolevich Medvedev

ul. Ilyinka, No 23
103132 Moscow
Russian Federation

Dear President Medvedev,

Zelimkhan Murdalov has not been seen by his family since 2 January 2001 when he was arrested by officers from the Oktiabrskii district police station in Grozny, Chechnya. He was suspected of possessing illegal drugs.

His family went to the police station several times but were refused entry. Police claimed that he was released on 5 January, three days after his arrest.

Sergei Lapin, a police officer, was put on trial in October 2003 for causing severe bodily harm to Zelimkhan Murdalov and abuse of authority. During the trial, the Oktiabrskii District Court in Grozny confirmed that he was tortured while in police custody. He had been electrocuted, and punched, kicked and beaten with a rubber baton over several hours. His arm was broken, his ear torn and he was suffering from concussion. Witnesses reported that he was barely able to stand when he was taken to his cell. He was reportedly taken away in a car by police officers the following day.

In March 2005 Sergei Lapin was sentenced to 11 years’ imprisonment, reduced to 10 and a half years on appeal. No one, however, has been prosecuted for Zelimkhan Murdalov’s abduction and enforced disappearance.

In November 2005 a commander and a lower-ranking officer were identified as being involved in Zelimkhan Murdalov’s torture and enforced disappearance. They were placed on the federal wanted list but have not yet been arrested.

I ask for the he authorities to establish the whereabouts of Zelimkhan Murdalov and ensure that the police officers responsible for his enforced disappearance are arrested and brought to justice in line with international fair trial standards.

Sincerely,

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