Dear Friends,

The recent killing of Umar Israilov, a Chechen who was granted asylum in Vienna will be seen by many as yet another example of the lengths that the Kremlin-imposed Chechen President will go to in order to eliminate any voice of dissent.

While the facts surrounding Israilov's murder are still unfolding, the initial reports are chilling.  According to The Moscow Times, Israilov was chased by men in combat fatigues through a busy pedestrian area, when he fell and was shot twice in the head.  The operation brings back memories of the assassination of other critics of Putin and his henchmen - Politkovskaya and Litvinenko immediately spring to mind.   The murder of Ruslan Yamadaev, a powerful clan leader in Chechnya, who was gunned down in Moscow last year also merits attention.  Yamadaev was killed in Moscow, not Grozny, while Israilov was killed in Vienna. 

Another startling aspect of the situation were the comments made by another Chechen, Arthur Kurmakayev, who - according to The New York Times - told the European Court of Human Rights that he formally worked for a "a secretive department under Mr. Kadyrov's direction charged with repatriating Chechens in exile."  Kurmakayev claimed that "All of these people either fought against Kadyrov or have otherwise attracted unfavorable attention. Three hundred of the 5,000 that appear on the list have to die."

If we are to believe this, then it seems reasonable to suggest that Umar Israilov was one of the 300.  C.J Chivers of The New York Times reported that he had interviewed Israilov in the autumn of last year, when the Chechen accused Kadyrov of "participating in kidnappings and torture sessions." The article quoted Israilov as saying that Mr Kadyrov had used electric shock torture on him: "It feels as if your muscles are going to explode," said Israilov.  "It was as if you were being torn apart."  When asked if he feared for his safety, Israilov responded "Ramzan is a powerful man... he can have anyone killed."

This case should serve as a stark reminder that Kadyrov's rule is one of fear and oppression where opposition voices are dealt with and silenced. The reality is that under Kadyrov disappearances, torture and rape remain commonplace. The extent to which political critics are at risk constitutes a complete violation of human rights and civil liberties which can no longer be ignored by the international community.