Residents of the Urus-Martan District of Russian occupied Chechen Republic of Ichkeria have reported about kidnapping of clergyman Movsar Ismailov on February 23 by gang members from the puppet regime. According to their story, Ismailov was released after torture and beatings.

According to the “Kavkaz-Uzel” website, some local residents told that kidnapping of Ismailov was committed in the village of Gekhi. Armed Kadyrovites in black military camouflage uniform arrived at Ismailov’s house in two dark cars – a Lada Priora and a VAZ-21112 without license plates. They did not introduce themselves and without any explanations took Ismailov away with them. His wife was told that Movsar was taken away for giving some evidences, and he would be back in half an hour.

“However, he was not back an hour later. Then, his relatives addressed the ROVD (District Interior Division of puppet regime), but puppet authorities knew nothing about Ismailov’s detention. Movsar returned on the next day. All the night he was tortured and beaten. At present, he is at home; however, neither he nor his family want to comment on the incident,” the “Kavkaz-Uzel” correspondent was told by an activist of a local human rights organization.

“We know Movsar as an honest and decent man. He has a family with three children; he did nothing forbidden; there were no grounds for his detention. If he was involved in anything serious, they wouldn’t let him free,” said a Gekhi villager.

Some residents say that Movsar Ismailov expressed his dissatisfaction with the actions of some religious leaders and openly expressed his views on several issues pertaining to religion like New Year celebrations.