Local sources have reported that Waidhofen’s Mayor Wolfgang Mair provided a humanitarian right to stay in Austria for Malinkovs, a Chechen family seeking asylum.

According to the information, on January 12 as has been the case on previous Saturdays, hundreds of citizens in the town of Waidhofen gathered to support the Malinkov family. Thanks to strong and determined public support to save the lives of the family, Mayor Wolfgang Mair (from The Austrian People’s Party -ÖVP-) provided them with a right to stay on humanitarian grounds.

“We investigated the case properly. I have discussed the issue with Interior Minister Mikl-Leitner. Probably, Mr. Malinkov and his family will be considered political refugees,” said Mayor Mair and announced his decision as a district governor.

“We are happy, especially for the children,” said Franz Kößl, a member of the support group.

Musa’s constant fear and insomnia ended with the decision. Now the family will be able to create a new life for themselves and their children in safety.

Recall that Musa Malinkov was an active supporter of the Chechen National Liberation Movement and for this reason he was abducted from his house and tortured in a prison for days. The 30 year old Malinkov, his wife Malika, and their 3 year old son Rasul had arrived in Austria in 2010 and had a new baby girl, Rayana who is now 8 months old, while living in Austria.

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