UN Committee issues first decision in domestic violence case: The UN Committee for the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women has issued its first decision on domestic violence in Russia. The UN Committee ruled that Russia violated the rights of Chechen resident Shema Timagova, who was a victim of domestic violence at the hands of her former husband. The UN Committee also submitted its recommendations and called on Russia to criminalize gender-based violence and investigate all allegations of violence against women. (Kommersant, MT)

 

Opposition activists detained in Ingushetia over clashes between protesters and police: Reportedly, a court in Nalchik (Ingushetia) has ruled to arrest Ingush opposition activists Akhmed Barakhoyev, Musa Malsagov and Barakh Chemurziyev on suspicion of 'organizing the use of violence against a representative of the authorities" on 27 March after a protest action against Ingush head Yevkurov and an agreement on the administrative border with Chechnya. (Kommersant)

 

Clashes between police and local residents in Pankisi Gorge: Media report on clashes in Georgia's Pankisi Gorge between police and local residents protesting against the construction of a hydropower plant. Nezavisimaya Gazeta reminds that the Pankisi Gorge region is inhabited by the Kists (ethnic Chechens). (NG)

 

Russian investigators may question Chechen militant emissary in UK: Russian investigators may interrogate Chechen militant leader Akhmed Zakayev, who is residing in London, in connection with the case over the murder of Novaya Gazeta reporter Anna Politkovskaya in October 2006. Anna Stavitskaya, the lawyer for the Politkovskaya family, said that lawyers interviewed Zakayev, who had denied any involvement in Politkovskaya's killing. (Interfax, Kommersant)