Rights defenders explain Amriev's statements as compromise with Chechen law enforcers

The statements of the athlete Murad Amriev about the respect of his rights in Chechnya were caused by his situation of a hostage: now he is not really harassed, but he cannot express himself completely freely. This is the opinion of the rights defenders interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot".

Murad Amriev, the world champion in MMA, was detained in Belarus and handed over to FSB agents. On June 9, a source from the law enforcement agencies informed the "Caucasian Knot" that Murad Amriev was placed to a temporary detention facility of the Staropromyslovsky ROVD (District Interior Division) in Grozny. In the evening of June 9, Igor Kalyapin, the leader of the "Committee for the Prevention of Torture", announced the release of the athlete.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that today the Chechen Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) has denied the motive of blood feud in Amriev's case; and Murad Amriev himself told journalists that at that stage he was satisfied with the respect of his rights, and was confident of his safety in Chechnya.

Tatiana Lokshina, the programme director for Russia of the Human Rights Watch, believes that in Amriev's situation there is "no choice for him."

"In Amriev's situation, he has no choice – he and his family are in fact hostages. Any careless word can harm himself and his family. Obviously, Amriev tried not to get to Chechnya; he fled from local law enforcers. But now, being there against his will, he cannot speak and act freely," Ms Lokshina said in her comment to the" Caucasian Knot "correspondent.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.