Russia tightens security in Ingushetia before rally
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NAZRAN, Russia, Jan 25 (Reuters) - Russian special forces declared parts of the troubled Muslim region of Ingushetia a "counter-terrorist operation zone" on Friday, hampering plans for a weekend protest against alleged election vote-rigging.
Russia is fighting a growing insurgency in Ingushetia, an impoverished region bordering Chechnya, where Moscow has fought two wars against separatists since the fall of the Soviet Union.
The Federal Security Service (FSB) said it had information that militants were preparing attacks and declared parts of Ingushetia a "counter-terrorist operation zone", allowing authorities to restrict movement of people and vehicles.
"Members of the armed rebels are preparing a number of terrorist attacks in public places in Ingushetia, as well as attacks on administrative buildings and armed provocations against law enforcement officers," the FSB said in a statement.
The "counter-terrorist zone" included parts of the regional capital Nazran, where a protest against alleged falsification of parliamentary election results was planned for Saturday.
Official results from the December election said 99 percent of Ingush voters had turned out and cast ballots for the pro-Kremlin United Russia party.
The new security controls will prevent people from outside the town centre gathering there, thwarting the protest.
"In accordance with the law, the access of citizens to the centre of the city will be restricted. It means that if a person is living on this territory he can go there, but otherwise he cannot," an Ingush security services officer told Reuters.
Rally organisers said the FSB's move was an attempt to suppress turnout at the rally.
"We believe 100 percent that this is linked to the rally we are holding in Nazran, which shows the authorities want to frighten those who want to take part," Magomed Yevloev, one of the organisers, told Reuters.
"If authorities try to use force to disrupt the protest, then there will be mass street fights in Nazran," Yevloev said.
Yevloev has helped gather 88,000 signatures from people who said they did not vote, from a total population of 450,000.
The FSB's order takes effect less than six weeks before Russians vote for a successor to Putin, who enjoys strong domestic support for restoring stability and bringing relative calm in Chechnya. (Writing by Conor Sweeney; Editing by Charles Dick)
NAZRAN, Russia, Jan 25 (Reuters) - Russian special forces declared parts of the troubled Muslim region of Ingushetia a "counter-terrorist operation zone" on Friday, hampering plans for a weekend protest against alleged election vote-rigging.
Russia is fighting a growing insurgency in Ingushetia, an impoverished region bordering Chechnya, where Moscow has fought two wars against separatists since the fall of the Soviet Union.
The Federal Security Service (FSB) said it had information that militants were preparing attacks and declared parts of Ingushetia a "counter-terrorist operation zone", allowing authorities to restrict movement of people and vehicles.
"Members of the armed rebels are preparing a number of terrorist attacks in public places in Ingushetia, as well as attacks on administrative buildings and armed provocations against law enforcement officers," the FSB said in a statement.
The "counter-terrorist zone" included parts of the regional capital Nazran, where a protest against alleged falsification of parliamentary election results was planned for Saturday.
Official results from the December election said 99 percent of Ingush voters had turned out and cast ballots for the pro-Kremlin United Russia party.
The new security controls will prevent people from outside the town centre gathering there, thwarting the protest.
"In accordance with the law, the access of citizens to the centre of the city will be restricted. It means that if a person is living on this territory he can go there, but otherwise he cannot," an Ingush security services officer told Reuters.
Rally organisers said the FSB's move was an attempt to suppress turnout at the rally.
"We believe 100 percent that this is linked to the rally we are holding in Nazran, which shows the authorities want to frighten those who want to take part," Magomed Yevloev, one of the organisers, told Reuters.
"If authorities try to use force to disrupt the protest, then there will be mass street fights in Nazran," Yevloev said.
Yevloev has helped gather 88,000 signatures from people who said they did not vote, from a total population of 450,000.
The FSB's order takes effect less than six weeks before Russians vote for a successor to Putin, who enjoys strong domestic support for restoring stability and bringing relative calm in Chechnya. (Writing by Conor Sweeney; Editing by Charles Dick)
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