A male Chechen refugee was arrested in Belgium and is at risk of being extradited to Russia.

According to the report, early in March 2012, Beslan Makhaev was arrested by Belgian police at the request of Russian authorities through Interpol. Russian authorities have accused Makhaev of “participating in armed forces against Russia” and ask for his extradition to the Russian Federation. In fact, all of the allegations against him are fabricated and politically motivated. Beslan was kidnapped by Russian soldiers in the Russian occupied Chechen Republic of Ichkeria in September 2002 for the same reason and was tortured and endured brutal treatment. However, he managed to be released only days later after a ransom was paid. After obtaining his freedom, he immediately left his homeland; however, the Russian side refused to leave him alone and found him in Belgium. Now they are asking for his extradition.

Beslan’s sister Malika Makhaev pointed out that her brother is being kept in a prison in Belgium. His health is not good due to several chronic diseases that developed as a result of the torture he was subjected to in the Russian prison in 2002. On the other hand, ten days ago Beslan embarked on a hunger strike to protest his unlawful arrest.

*Text was written by Waynakh Online and edited by Michael Capobianco