17:16, 30 January 2004

Abductors set known Chechen doctor and masseur Khamzat Osmayev free

Khamzat Osmayev, the known Chechen doctor and body-builder abducted from his consulting room in the village of Pliyevo on January 12, was found in Ingushetia's Sunzhensky district. Having savagely beaten and tortured him, the abductors set him down on an abandoned lot not far from the Magas airport in the evening of January 26. He was taken to a local hospital in grave condition. According to Khamzat Osmayev relatives, his life is in no danger now.

The 50-year old doctor and masseur Khamzat Osmayev was abducted by security agents straight from his consulting room on January 12. The gunmen in masks and camouflage uniform forced him in a car and taken him away. Neither Osmayev himself nor his relatives are aware of the reasons for his detention. Ingush law-enforcement agencies also refrain from making comments.

Editors note: See also the articles "Known doctor and masseur Khamzat Osmayev abducted in Ingushetia", "International Helsinki Federation accuses Russian law-enforcement agencies of abduction of physical therapy practitioner in Ingushetia".

Author: Malika Suleymanova, CK correspondent

Source: Caucasian Knot