Circling the Lion's Den

Babitsky capture

On January 26, 2000 a corespondent by radio "Svoboda" Andrey  Babitsky was missing in Grozny region as it was told by an assistant of the acting president of Russia Sergey Yastrghembsky. By his words, Andrey Babitsky "left Grozny and was lost" on January, 28. As stated  the first deputy of General Staff chief Valery Manilov, "still there was no information concerning Andrey Babitsky including if he would stay at any of our bodies". At the same data a chief of information department by MVD Oleg Aksenov told to TV channel RTR that Andrey Babitsky was captured on January 23, at block post "Staraya Sungha" at Grozny exit.

On January 31, minister of MVD Vladimir Rushailo stated that a decision about release of captured in Chechnya correspondent of radio station "Svododa" Andrey Babitsky would be made by General Prosecutor’s office. Correspondent of radio "Svoboda" Andrey Babitsky captured in Chechnya according clause 90 by UPK  RF would receive a restraint - 10 days caption. The count of the custody term began from January 27.

Sergey Yastrghembsky told that Andrey Babitsky was captured on January 18, at the outskirts of Grozny and he was brought to a receiving prison situated at inhabited locality Chernokozovo, Naursky region.

At the same day a vice-premier Valentina Matviyenko accounting the points of mass media activity in the government said that the acting president Vladimir Putin assigned to a special representative by General prosecutor’s office to flight to Mozdok and in place to investigate the set situation.

On February 3, at 03 p.m. by Moscow time at one of crossroads between Argun and Shali a correspondent of radio station "Svoboda" Andrey Babitsky, earlier arrested by the Federal forces at Grozny exit was handed to the Chechenian side in exchange for three military officers by federal forces. By the official information such a proposal was purports received from a representative of armed formations and Andrey Babitsky agreed with it. Yastrghembsky pointed that at the set situation the federal center would not be responsible for the future life of Andrey Babitsky.

At the same day a minister of defense marshal Igor Sergeev stated that he connected the initiative by the Chechenian fighters on exchange of Russian officers for the correspondent of radio "Svoboda" Andrey Babitsky with the journalist’s approach towards events lighting in Chechnya. By the accounts of marshal Sergeev this information was "say the least of it as non-objective".

Meanwhile the acting general prosecutor Ustinov confirmed that a criminal case in regard to Andrey Babitsky would not be stopped. A legal status of the correspondent Andrey Babitsky (in accordance with the prosecutor’ s decision) - is a suspected person with whom a subscription on non-exit had been taken. Such an explanation was received from the General prosecutor’s office, Russia. On efflux of a ten days term set by the law where a suspected person entered a case the chosen restraint - subscription on non-exit - is canceled. Thus Andrey Babitsky by February 7, got a status of witness with the right of free movement over the country.

On February 7, FSB director Patrushev stated that the correspondent by radio station "Svoboda" exchanged for two captive soldiers last week was alive: "Babitsky is alive but where is he I don’t know, don’t ask us this question". He also noticed that FSB bodies were not engaged in Babitsky exchange for captive Russian soldiers.

On February 25, with reference to MVD, Dagestan it’s appeared the information that Andrey Babitsky was captured on February 25, in one of cafes in Makhachkala and submitted to custody where he would be kept at least up to Saturday morning. Up to this time "a preventive talk" would be carried out with him.

On February 29, Babitsky was brought to Moscow where he was released under the guard with a subscription on non-exit. Decision on change of his restraint was made on February 29, after by Vladimir Putin message the Investigation committee by MVD of Russia together with General prosecutor’s office considered Babitsky case processed by MVD of Dagestan on forgery fact.

Participants:

Resources:

  • Segodnya 29.01.2000 "Generals call mass media to attention"
  • ITAR-TASS 04.02.2000 "FSB Russia doesn’t have any attitude towards captured in Chechnya journalist by radio station "Svoboda" Andrey Babitsky, stated Alexander Zdanovich"
  • Kommersant 05.02.2000 "Direct speech"
  • VREMYA-MN 08.02.2000 "What has been told about Andrey Babitsky lately by the official persons"
  • Nezavisimaya gazeta 10.02.2000 "About Babitsky case"
  • Novaya gazeta 10.02.2000 "What for Babitsky was exchanged"
  • FEDERAL NEWS SERVICE 07.02.2000 "Press conference by the assistant of Russian President Sergey Yastrghembsky"
  • Press-service by Democratic Unit of Russia 14.02.2000 "Statement"
  • Novaya gazeta 14.02.2000 "Our power has one exit - an escape"
  • Baltic News Service 15.02.2000 "Estonian public called for the truth on Babitsky life"
  • Kommersant-Vlast 15.02.2000 "Exchange with after-payment"
  • Segodnya 16.02.2000 "Babitsky will be exchanged again"
  • Komsomolskaya Pravda 18.02.2000 "Andrey Babitsky in Duba-Yurt, at field commander Rizvan Chitigov!"
  • Komsomolskaya Pravda 25.02.2000 "Special correspondent by "KP" Alexander EVTUSHENKO: I’m afraid that they will never release Andrey..."
  • FEDERAL NEWS SERVICE 07.03.2000 "Press conference by the correspondent of "Radio Svoboda" Andrey Babitsky"
  • Lenta.ru 25.02.2000 Andrey Babitsky is alive, healthy and stays at Dagestan
  • Lenta.ru 29.02.2000 Babitsky was brought to Moscow and released under subscription on non-exit