In Ingushetia, head of "Maximum" Agency fears that his organization may be closed by the court

On April 6, Vakha Chapanov, head of the information-analytical Agency named "Maximum", was repeatedly summoned to the Prosecutor's Office of Ingushetia, where he was warned about the inadmissibility of publishing material critical of power agents. The journalist believes that this is the first step of law enforcers towards closing his agency.

"Today I was served a warning entitled 'On inadmissibility of violating the law on counteracting extremism' and saying that Article 17.7 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the Russian Federation envisions administrative responsibility for a failure to fulfil lawful demands of the prosecutor; the warning was signed by Zhulyabin, Acting Deputy Public Prosecutor of the republic," said Chapanov.

"They believe that in the article 'Situation remains tense', I accuse without due grounds power agents of the Republic of Ingushetia of gross violations of the legislation of the criminal procedure; and they see 'something' close to extremism. I am afraid that after the first warning the second one may follow; and my organization will be closed in the judicial order," the head of the information-analytical agency has added.

Mr Chapanov said that he would continue publishing materials about the events in Ingushetia. "I had no time yet to bring this fact to public, but we are supported by the Human Rights Centre "Memorial" and the Chechen Committee for National Salvation. I think that the prosecutor's office should work in some different direction," he said.

Ruslan Badalov, Head of Regional Public Movement "Chechen Committee for National Salvation", believes that Chapanov has an adequate position; and his work are responses to the events that take place in Chechnya, Ingushetia and the Caucasus. "He had nothing to do with kindling any national discord. These are actual news topics, which cause interest of Russian public," he said.

"First and foremost, these are kidnappings, murders and disappearances - all what is made public. I believe that the prosecutor's office responds incorrectly and undermines its image," said Ruslan Badalov.

See earlier reports: "Prosecutor's Office of Ingushetia interrogates journalist Chapanov on article about kidnappings," "In Ingushetia, power agents search rights defender's house," "In Ingushetia, relatives of kidnapped local resident do not rule out restart of rally in Magas."