|
|
In the first half of August, the city of Grozny was like a layered cake,
where neighborhoods, blockposts1 and individual buildings under the control
of the Russian forces interweaved with the territory occupied by units
of the army of the self-proclaimed CRI. The majority of the encircled divisions
and groups of soldiers from the Russian army found themselves in a difficult
situation.
A part of the Russian forces were based in the neighborhood of the republican
hospital on Lenin Street, which was on territory known as the «15th town».2
At the start of the fighting in Grozny, this territory remained in the
possession of the federal forces and soldiers from other regions of the
city were able to retreat to this area.
According to the testimony of witnesses, on August 11, 12 and 17, servicemen
conducted a «cleansing» in the areas adjacent to the 15th town which were
composed mostly of one-story buildings (Izberbashkaya, Kalinin, Kuibyshev,
Lazo, Matrocov, Odeskaya, Ukrainskaya, Shchors Streets). In the course
of these «cleansings», civilians were seized and brought to the military
compound. As a condition of their release, relatives of those captured
were made to bring in the bodies of dead Russian soldiers or to provide
for the delivery of goods to Russian posts which were being blockaded.
These same relatives were forced to engage in talks with units of the armed
forced of the CRI in order to see that these demands could be met. Numerous
people who witnessed or in some way suffered from the «cleansings» were
interviewed by the «Memorial» HRC.
***
On August 12th, Alexei Evgenevich Ptukhin, who was born in 1975 and lives
on 68 Shchors Street, and two of his neighbors, Mamed Yusupov and Musa
Mankiev,3 left home at about 10 o’clock in the morning. According to M.
Mankiev, «it was quiet on the street, there were no signs of any Russians,
a group of Chechen fighters were walking along the streets». These young
men had intended to simply buy some cigarettes and then immediately return
home. However, at the corner of the street, they were detained by Russian
soldiers who checked their documents, then handcuffed them and lead them
away. The boys were told that there was nothing to be afraid of, that they
were simply being used as shields until they reached the military compound
and would then be released. Several other detainees, including two Russians
who seemed quite drunk, were also taken. The detainees were lead into the
military compound where an officer examined their hands and shoulders4
after which he declared them all to be rebels. The fact that Russians were
detained particularly angered the Russian soldiers.
According to Musa Mankiev:
«We were forced to lay on the ground and were tied up. Then I heard one of them say: "Are these three Russians?"
"Yes," responded someone else.
"Shoot them,ê said the first, éThey aren’t Russians, they’re traitors. All the Russians have left already."
I didn’t really believe that they would shoot them. I thought they were just trying to scare them.
The three Russians, including Ptukhin, were immediately separated from
the rest and lead away.
The following account was told by Magomed Taramov, born in 1941 and living
on 41 Odeskaya Street.5
«They came to our house on the 12th. I went out myself to open the gate so that they didn’t force it open with the butt of their guns. My son6 and I were placed against the side of the house. My family was in the house, there were children there, a lot of shouting, noise, hubbub. The women showed them our passports. We aren’t fighters and definitely hadn’t take any part in the armed conflict. We were brought out to the street, where about nine people were standing by a wall. We were joined by even more people who had been taken from their homes. Altogether there were twenty four people. A colonel was in charge. Our hands were tied up and we were led along the street.
On Lenin Street there was some serious gunfire. The soldiers took cover behind us...
We were led through a hole in a fence into the military compound...
In the evening of August 12th, relatives of those detained , mostly women,
headed in the direction of the military base with white flags.7 However,
they were shot at and as a result went home. The following morning, these
relatives along with Victoria Petrovna Arutyunova, the director of School
#34 of the October region, again approached the military base. They were
not allowed into the military base although several officers came out.
The women were able to convince these officers that the detained men had
not taken part in the fighting. Apparently, the officers had already understood
that and they expressed their readiness to release the detainees, but only
on the condition that the women brought them wounded soldiers from the
13th blockpost which was surrounded by Chechen fighters or the bodies of
Russian soldiers who had been killed near the «Luch» store.
Garib Asiyalov, who lives at 8 Lazo Street8 related how the women approached
him and requested that he be present during the talks with the officers.
At the military base, he tried to shame the officer who attended and to
prove to him that such actions were a disgrace. He also tried to explain
that peace talks between the Russian and Chechen sides had already begun.
In response to that, G. Asiyalov claims that the officer said: «That doesn’t
concern me. I could care less about Lebed and Maskhadov — I take orders
from Kulikov.9 We will exchange a head for a head — our wounded or dead
men for your living ones.»
On the first day, the women were not able to get permission from the Chechen
rebels to take away wounded soldiers from the 13th blockpost. On the following
day, the well-known Chechen commander, Akhmed Zakaev declared that he was
prepared to give up one wounded Russian soldier in exchange for the release
of one detained person from the Chechen side. He refused to send his men
to dig up dead bodies but promised that he would not impede Russian soldiers
from doing so.
The relatives rented a truck and began to transport wounded and dead soldiers.
According to G. Asiyalov, 32 hostages were exchanged. There were some complications
since the women often brought in the bodies of dead soldiers who weren’t
under the jurisdiction of that military compound.10
However, Alexei Ptukhin, Magomed and Alimkan Taramov weren’t among those
released. An officer, in command of a certain intelligence group, promised
that on the next day he would give up the bodies of three people who had
been shot. In exchange for them, he wanted the bodies of some dead soldiers
from his group. On the following day, after the bodies of these soldiers
had been brought in, relatives of the hostages were first given the body
of an unknown person and then the body of Alexei Ptukhin. There were four
bullet wounds on his body and his head was smashed.
Magomed and Alimkhan Taramov were released several days later in exchange
for the bodies of eight Russian soldiers.
Immediately after the exchange, all the interviewed hostages and their
relatives left Grozny and did not return until September.
Those who were detained recounted that they were treated with cruelty.
After being beaten severely, Yusupov and Mankiev were thrown into a pit
where they remained for three days.
Magomed Taramov
«In the "15th townê, we were blindfolded and told to lie on the ground... After that four people, including my son and I, were among those selected. We were taken to an APC. I thought that, because of the background noise from the motor, they either wanted to hang or shoot us... Two soldiers put me on the APC. I then thought — they’re going to hang me. I was placed up there and behind me there was another guy like myself and we were tied together with wire... I then understood that they were making a target out of us, that they wanted to drive down Lenin Street and were hoping that the rebels wouldn’t fire.
After fifteen minutes of driving around, I immediately realized that we were at Khankala.13
Four people were driven in like that and were placed in a pit where the
other detainees were kept. Those being kept in the pit were subject to
beatings every day as well as frequent harassment from the contracted soldiers.14
Magomed Taramov was once interrogated.
After five days, both father and son (the Taramovs) were taken back to
the «15th town». There they were told that they would soon be exchanged.
They were again beaten although this time a certain Russian officer interceded
on their behalf and guarded them until their release.
Among those detained were two militiamen, Murat and Movsar (those relating
the account could not remember their last names) from the MIA CR. Their
homes had been searched by Russian soldiers who found their guns. They
were brought to Khankal along with the Taramovs and were kept together
in the same pit. They were interrogated and, like the others, they were
also beaten. However, in connection with the fact that the MIA CR took
an interest in their fate, they weren’t exchanged but were instead released
on August 22-23.
***
Another «cleansing» of the areas adjacent to the «15th town» took place
on August 17th, in which new hostages were seized.
The first report regarding the hostage takeover of civilians in this region
was released on Radio Liberty on August 19th. Correspondent V. Dolin confirmed
that a group of masked Russian soldiers had broken into several houses
near the local hospital in Grozny on August 17th, had taken non-militant
residents hostage, had attempted to take able men hostage, and ended up
abducting 20 youngsters.
Representatives of the «Memorial» HRC interviewed local residents living
regarding the abovementioned events. Those interviews revealed that Russian
soldiers conducted this «cleansing» in the area of the «15th town» during
which hostages were seized and taken to a military compound. The opposition
forces did not engage in the conflict, and simply retreated from the area.15
However, Alexei Ptukhin, Magomed and Alimkan Taramov weren’t among those
released. An officer, in command of a certain intelligence group, promised
that on the next day he would give up the bodies of three people who had
been shot. In exchange for them, he wanted the bodies of some dead soldiers
from his group. On the following day, after the bodies of these soldiers
had been brought in, relatives of the hostages were first given the body
of an unknown person and then the body of Alexei Ptukhin. There were four
bullet wounds on his body and his head was smashed.
Magomed and Alimkhan Taramov were released several days later in exchange
for the bodies of eight Russian soldiers.
Immediately after the exchange, all the interviewed hostages and their
relatives left Grozny and did not return until September.
Those who were detained recounted that they were treated with cruelty.
After being beaten severely, Yusupov and Mankiev were thrown into a pit
where they remained for three days.
Magomed Taramov
«In the "15th townê, we were blindfolded and told to lie on the ground... After that four people, including my son and I, were among those selected. We were taken to an APC. I thought that, because of the background noise from the motor, they either wanted to hang or shoot us... Two soldiers put me on the APC. I then thought — they’re going to hang me. I was placed up there and behind me there was another guy like myself and we were tied together with wire... I then understood that they were making a target out of us, that they wanted to drive down Lenin Street and were hoping that the rebels wouldn’t fire.
After fifteen minutes of driving around, I immediately realized that we were at Khankala.13
Four people were driven in like that and were placed in a pit where the
other detainees were kept. Those being kept in the pit were subject to
beatings every day as well as frequent harassment from the contracted soldiers.14
Magomed Taramov was once interrogated.
After five days, both father and son (the Taramovs) were taken back to
the «15th town». There they were told that they would soon be exchanged.
They were again beaten although this time a certain Russian officer interceded
on their behalf and guarded them until their release.
Among those detained were two militiamen, Murat and Movsar (those relating
the account could not remember their last names) from the MIA CR. Their
homes had been searched by Russian soldiers who found their guns. They
were brought to Khankal along with the Taramovs and were kept together
in the same pit. They were interrogated and, like the others, they were
also beaten. However, in connection with the fact that the MIA CR took
an interest in their fate, they weren’t exchanged but were instead released
on August 22-23.
***
Another «cleansing» of the areas adjacent to the «15th town» took place
on August 17th, in which new hostages were seized.
The first report regarding the hostage takeover of civilians in this region
was released on Radio Liberty on August 19th. Correspondent V. Dolin confirmed
that a group of masked Russian soldiers had broken into several houses
near the local hospital in Grozny on August 17th, had taken non-militant
residents hostage, had attempted to take able men hostage, and ended up
abducting 20 youngsters.
Representatives of the «Memorial» HRC interviewed local residents living
regarding the abovementioned events. Those interviews revealed that Russian
soldiers conducted this «cleansing» in the area of the «15th town» during
which hostages were seized and taken to a military compound. The opposition
forces did not engage in the conflict, and simply retreated from the area.15
While conducting this «cleansing», the Russian forces fired on houses with
automatic weapons and machine-guns. After the military forces departed
that evening, mortar firing descended upon the quarters — probably with
the intention of preventing the retaking of the area by rebel forces. As
a result, according to witnesses, many peaceful civilians were killed or
wounded.
Among the unintentional deaths were
Among the wounded were
The following is an excerpt from the account of Aishat Khadasheva:16
«On August 17th at 8:20AM, the soldiers began to fire and descend upon us. They descended upon us from above — from the Central hospital at the end of Izberbashskaya Street...There were masses of soldiers and lots of tanks and armored vehicles. As the soldiers descended upon us, it became clear that they were inebriated; they were waving their firsts — oh! how savagely they behaved...Our neighbor was visiting at the time, and was playing chess with my husband. The soldiers led my husband, our son, and the neighbour outside.17 They said to my son: »Show us your hands." My son had been working in the boiler station...And the soldiers told him: «You have callouses on your hands.» As one of the soldiers was contemplating whether they should take him with them, another shouted: «Take them away! Take them away!» They took off my husband’s jacket, and began to strangle him with it, and then, they led the three detainees away to the APC...I grabbed onto the APC and refused to let go. Then, the soldiers dragged me into the unit as well."
According to Aishat Khadasheva’s account, the Russian soldiers did not
loot her house, however, it was not at all uncommon for them to steal from
other houses. «They would open the gates, enter the house, choose whatever
they wanted, and then spray the remains with their machine guns.» Nina,
one of the neighbors who survived — a Russian — entered the courtyard of
the Khadashev’s house while the soldiers were still occupying it. She tried
to convince them to behave more humanely toward the civilians, and emphasized
that Russians also lived in the apartment complex. In response, they swore
at her, and said «If you were sane, you would not be living here yourself!»
They then raided her house and stole her son’s clothes.
Many witnesses have acknowledged that raids, theft, and vandalism occured
while troops «cleansed» the houses, however, this topic is not the focus
of this particular report.18
In addition, it should be noted that the soldiers did not take hostage
all the men they encountered. Svetlana Gapuraeva confirmed the accuracy
of Aishat Khadasheva’s story, but acknowledged that the soldiers did not
detain her two sons, husband, or brother-in-law who were in the house.19
On two occasions, Russian soldiers entered her house, but only to check
her documents.
Sultan Larsanov reported that he was a witness to a similar incident:20
His relatives, who were living on the corner of Ul. Kalinina and Ul. Matrosova
were rounded up to be led away as hostages, when Sultan’s children started
to cry. A Russian officer cried out «I also have a son and a daughter.
My soul can not bear this sin!» And he ordered that the hostages be freed.
In the military compound where Aishat Khadasheva was taken, she tried to
find out what had happened to her relatives:
«I cried: "Please, if there is among you at least one person, one commander, someone, please, listen to me." Someone shouted from under an alcove: "Take her away! Take her away immediately! Blindfold her!" Then, they dragged me down to the APC, took me home, and deposited me there.»
The next day, when Aishat Khadasheva returned to the military compound
with her neighbors, they were informed that the detained persons would
be released in exchange for the corpses of Russian soldiers, buried near
the bus station and the chemical plant. The women begged the Chechen rebels
for assistance, got a car and then drove to the site and began to dig up
the corpses. They soon realized that the task was beyond their strength,
and agreed that it would be easier for the Russian soldiers to pass through
the land occupied by Chechen rebels and take the corpses away themselves.
Two burial grounds were dug up, and 28 corpses were dragged away. As compensation,
some of the hostages, including Ishmat Khadasheva’s relatives, were released;
however, their passports were not returned to them. While in the compound,
they had remained under surveillance for 36 hours, during which time, they
were blindfolded and their hands were bound.
The following is an incomplete list of hostages seized on August 17th:22
Musa Abdulaev, born 1968 (address: 39 Ul. Matrosova);
Ruslan Abdulaev, born 1962 (address: 39 Ul. Matrosova);
Sheukhi Golbatsev, born 1960 (address: 18 Third Ukrainian pereulok);
Ramzmn Gishaev, born 1969 (address: 19 Third Ukrainian pereulok);
Dima Daudov, born 1969 (address: 170a Third Ukrainian pereulok);
Abdurashid Magamgadiev (address: 12 Third Ukrainian pereulok);
Said Mamadeav (address: 8 Third Ukrainian pereulok);
In the military compound where Aishat Khadasheva was taken, she tried to find out what had happened to her relatives:
«I cried: "Please, if there is among you at least one person, one commander, someone, please, listen to me." Someone shouted from under an alcove: "Take her away! Take her away immediately! Blindfold her!" Then, they dragged me down to the APC, took me home, and deposited me there.»
The next day, when Aishat Khadasheva returned to the military compound
with her neighbors, they were informed that the detained persons would
be released in exchange for the corpses of Russian soldiers, buried near
the bus station and the chemical plant. The women begged the Chechen rebels
for assistance, got a car and then drove to the site and began to dig up
the corpses. They soon realized that the task was beyond their strength,
and agreed that it would be easier for the Russian soldiers to pass through
the land occupied by Chechen rebels and take the corpses away themselves.
Two burial grounds were dug up, and 28 corpses were dragged away. As compensation,
some of the hostages, including Ishmat Khadasheva’s relatives, were released;
however, their passports were not returned to them. While in the compound,
they had remained under surveillance for 36 hours, during which time, they
were blindfolded and their hands were bound.
The following is an incomplete list of hostages seized on August 17th:22
Musa Abdulaev, born 1968 (address: 39 Ul. Matrosova);
Ruslan Abdulaev, born 1962 (address: 39 Ul. Matrosova);
Sheukhi Golbatsev, born 1960 (address: 18 Third Ukrainian pereulok);
Ramzmn Gishaev, born 1969 (address: 19 Third Ukrainian pereulok);
Dima Daudov, born 1969 (address: 170a Third Ukrainian pereulok);
Abdurashid Magamgadiev (address: 12 Third Ukrainian pereulok);
Said Mamadeav (address: 8 Third Ukrainian pereulok);
Khalid Merzhoev, born 1961 (address: 39 Second Izberbashskii pereulok);
Ruslan Ozniev, born 1961 (address: 5 Third Ukrainian pereulok);
Sultan Ozniev, born 1965 (address: 5 Third Ukrainian pereulok);
Sultan Khadashev, born 1940 (address: 41 Ul. Izberbashskaya);
Iliaz Khadashev, born 1973 (address: 41 Ul. Izberbashskaya).
The above hostages were released (in exchange for the corpses of Russian
soldiers) on August 19th. According to witness accounts, in some cases,
Russian soldiers demanded that relatives of the detained provide, in addition
to the corpses of Russian soldiers, food and drink to soldiers positioned
in the blockaded guardposts.
|
|