Press Release, 14.04.2014

YABLOKO leader Sergei Mitrokhin had a working visit to North Ossetia and Ingushetia on April 11-13. He laid a wreath at the monument to 2004 Beslan victims, had a meeting with the activists and participated in the conference where the new chair of the Ingushetia branch of YABLOKO was elected.

YABLOKO leader in the school building in Beslan

On April 11 Sergei Mitrokhin visited a monument to the victims of Beslan 2004 when the terrorists captured and exploded a school building. YABLOKO leader laid a wreath and made a note in the condolences book.

On April 12 Sergei Mitrokhin had two meetings with the activists in Vladikavkaz and Karabulak. The activists spoke about mass scale corruption level in the region and the non-effectiveness of the political parties in the region, especially the parliamentary parties. They said that YABLOKO was the only oppositional political force in the region and there’s no hope for the other organisations.

One of the main topics for the discussion was the refusals of the Ministry of Justice to register the North Ossetian branch of YABLOKO. The reason for this is the fact that the authorities are aware of Anatoly Sydakov, a famous human rights advocate, who should head the branch. But YABLOKO will continue to achieve the registration of the local branch by all lawful means.

Another serious problem is the industrial plant in the centre of the city, one of the largest pollutants in the North Caucasus. The activists complained about the damage to the environment and claimed that the plant’s owners don’t pay a big tax to the local budget. The rallies against the work of the plant take place regularly. Sergei Mitrokhin proposed to conduct a scientific conference on the problem and involve YABLOKO and its Green Russia faction in the work.

At the meeting in Karabulak the situation with human rights became the main topic. The local residents suspect the federal law enforcement structures in abduction of people. YABLOKO leader himself became witness of the counter-terrorist operation when the representatives of force structures circled a district where an opposition rally had taken place.

School building for the Ingush children

Another problem is the national segregation. The Ingush children are forced to studio separately from the Ossetian children even if the school is situated away from home.

Lots of refugees who left Ingushetia in the beginning of 1990-s can’t return home. YABLOKO leader claims the segregation should be stopped and only YABLOKO struggles against it at the moment.

On April 13 Sergei Mitrokhin participated in the conference of the Ingushetia branch of YABLOKO where the new chair was elected. Head of the March human rights group Ruslan Mutsolgov became the new chair.
He plans to participate in the coming elections in September 2015, develop the human rights advocacy and environmental activities and achieve the registration of the party’s local branch.

The situation with the previous chair of the branch Daud Garakoyev was discussed as well. A criminal case on libel was brought against him after he spoke about corruption in the region at the so called Congress of the Ingush people held in Moscow in June 2013. Now he has to hide out. YABLOKO claims the prosecution is politically motivated. During the meeting of Vladimir Putin with leaders of non-parliamentary parties, on November 20, 2013, YABLOKO leader handed an appeal to Putin demanding to take the situation under control.

Sergei Mitrokhin at the graveyard in Beslan

Writing to the condolences book

Laying a wreath to the monument