Report: Russia to Keep Some Camps Open (Chechnya)

[La_Serpiente]

Report: Russia to Keep Some Camps Open

MOSCOW - A top Russian official on Tuesday said that some tent camps for refugees from the Chechnya (news - web sites) war will remain open for several more months, a news report said, despite stated plans to close all the camps ahead of Russia's March presidential election.

The camps, housing some 4,600 people in Ingushetia, which borders Chechnya to the west, have long been an embarrassment to the Kremlin, undermining its attempt to portray Chechnya as stabilizing.

Many refugees say they are afraid to go back to Chechnya, where clashes between rebels and Russian soldiers are reported daily and where reports of civilians being seized and beaten by security forces are widespread.

Officials this year said that no refugees would be forced to return to Chechnya, but vowed that the camps would be closed by March. Russia's presidential election is March 14.

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Report: Russia to Keep Some Camps Open