The Vienna based Austrian newspaper, Kurier has reported that the Green Party is asking Austrian authorities to stop the deportation of Chechen asylum seekers.

Alev Korun, Human Rights Officer of the Austrian Green Party, pointed out that no one should be deported to the present day Russian occupied Chechen Republic of Ichkeria or Russia. She mentioned the recent mass extradition of Chechen asylum seekers from Austria to Russia, and the fact that it resulted in the abduction of two of the asylum seekers, Rasambek I and Salman (Danial) Mamaev.

“We do not know if they are alive, or if they have disappeared into a torture chamber. In the case of Chechen asylum seekers, Austrian authorities preferred to deny the reality that exists in Chechnya; they regard it as a safe country, which is totally wrong,” said Korun.

Journalist and Russia expert, Susanne Scholl is also supporting the Austrian Green Party’s demand. “It is a misconception to think that Chechnya is a lawful state. In fact, a clan has power now and they rule as they want. They try to destroy Russia’s ‘former enemies’. Therefore, a deportation there violates international law. I am ashamed as an Austrian,” said Scholl.

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