Another act of state terrorism - kidnapping of Arjan Erkel, evidence

[Rain]

Expressive silence

Two events taking place almost simultaneously have caused almost the
same troubles to the Kremlin. Outwardly there is no link between them:
the release of Arjan Erkel after almost two years in captivity and the
trial of two Russian agents in Qatar.

Both stories have been widely discussed in mass media and there is no
point in retelling them. We would only comment on some interesting, as
we see it, moments.

We will begin with the abduction story. Several weeks ago, to be
correct, in early March this year the head of Medecins Sans Frontieres,
Jean-Herve Bradol directly accused Russian federal authorities and the
Dagestan leadership of being involved in seizing and holding Erkel.
Bradol said officials and deputies of the State Duma were involved. The
activity of his employee was directly related to Chechnya. Bradol said
the kidnapping was aimed at «silencing those criticizing conditions in
neighboring Chechnya." In other words, the abduction was more of
political than criminal nature and it can be well qualified as an act of
terrorism. And if the words of Bradol are confirmed, this is state
terrorism.

Bradol’s statement caused a small political storm in Russia. Not the
most important officials from Moscow and Makhachkala expressed common
bewilderment and said that all that did not correspond to reality. At
that time it became clear that the affair was coming to a head: whether
Arjan would be released, or he would “disappear” forever. Fortunately,
as many people hoped – Erkel was freed. And this undoubtedly pleasant
fact means only one thing: Medecins Sans Frontieres had weighty
arguments to prove Bradol’s words. The arguments were too weighty and
the abductors decided not to run the risks and tried to find “an
amicable way out”: Erkel is freed, but in turn neither he, nor anyone
from his colleagues or relatives shall release information about who was
behind the abduction. It seems the deal was concluded: the Dutchmen
thanked Russia and it seems all have already forgotten Bradol’s words.
Still trying to smooth them, Russian mass media, which reported about
the release, said that previously the Dutch side had accused Russian law
enforcement bodies of … being unsuccessful in the search. They tactfully
keep silence that there were accusations proved by facts rather than
reproaches of being indolent. Instead, they widely advertise the fact
that no “ransom was paid.” The true “hero” was certain Valentin
Velichko, a representative of one of the most mysterious structures I
have ever heard about: the association of veterans of Russian foreign
intelligence. Mass media presented him not like a “retired officer” or
“a member of the veteran association” but as “a representative of the
structure”… He has been reported to actively contribute to the release
of the Dutch aid worker. How did he manage to do it and how a military
pensioner can influence the abductors in Dagestan – remains a mystery.
Personally Velichko could invent nothing better than to say that “all
that happened with the help of God and on the Easter night.” An
explanation in the spirit of great presidents which must satisfy all.
Nonetheless, we shall wait until Erkel speaks out. Although that is not
really important. His silence will be quite expressive…

Another moment – the trial of Russian agents in Qatar. The situation is
analogous. There are very serious proofs against the Russian agents. The
available facts allow to state with certainty that they took an
immediate part in the killing of Zelimkhan Yandarbiyev. From the very
beginning it became clear that the Qatari authorities were offered a
deal: a ridiculous arrest of two wrestlers from Belarus — members of the
Qatari national team — did not leave any a doubts that pressure was
exerted in all directions. At the same time Russia sent protests notes
demanding to immediately release its agents who just “happened to be
nearby” with numerous evidences of their guilt. Later a phone
conversation between Putin and the Qatari Emir followed, and another
participant of the event, first detained but then released due to his
diplomatic status, was able to leave the country. Many had an expression
that an exchange took place: the sportsmen were released from the Moscow
detention cell. And only when the trial began we got to know the names
of the suspects: as Russia mass media noted, “in Arab transcription they
sound approximately like Anatoly Vladimirovich Belashkov and Vasily
Anatolyevich Bokchov.”

Court will determine the degree of their guilt. But at the moment
Russian press is no longer concerned about their innocence or guilt. It
worries about how “their release will be presented” and for how long can
serve a prison term in Qatar. The term is unlikely to be burdensome, and
Russian mass media have no doubts about it. Thy do not even think that
“Belashkov” and “Bokchov” can face a stricter sentence: they have found
too many outward signs that the results of the telephone conversation of
Putin and the Qatari emir cannot be limited to the exchange of the
diplomat for two sportsmen.

Journalists refer to an extremely closed nature of the trial as one of
such major signs: according to them, you are unlikely to find any
information about the beginning court process in Doha in Qatari or
western mass media. May be except for 1-2 small reports. No more. And
this is regardless of the fact that the Russian agents face serious
charges, and the evidence against them can be ignored only if the
prosecutor, the judge and the defense lawyers take joint efforts in this
respect. The explosion of a vehicle in the center of Doha is an
extraordinary event. The man who had no relation to active politics was
killed. His underage son suffered severely. Newspapers have repeatedly
mentioned that Zelimkhan Yandarbiyev had good, friendly relations with
the Qatari authorities. And many expect the court trial to be widely
noted and have serious consequences for Russia’s image. If the guilt of
the Russian agents is proved, this will become an accusation of state
terrorism! However, as well as in the case of Arjan Erkel, it seems that
Russia has managed to “improve the situation”… All participants of the
process have tried to avoid an excessive stir. And this is also an
expressive silence.

Seda Aldamova

[Balamut]

The chechen times? Can you find more reliable source.