Nazran

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Memorial for the memory of victims of political oppressions

Nazran (Russian: Назра́нь; Ingush: Наьсара, Näsara) is a town in Russia. It was a capital of the Republic of Ingushetia in 1991–2002. Population: 125,066 (2002 Census); 18,246 (1989 Census). Nazran had town status since 1967.

[edit] 2004 rebel raid on Nazran

In 2004 a force of Chechen and ethnic Ingush rebels carried out a large-scale raid on Ingushetia, led by Shamil Basayev. The overnight attacks targeted fifteen official buildings in Nazran, and at least three towns and villages located on the Baku-Rostov highway that crosses the republic from east to west.

The raid lasted nearly five hours, and the assailants - said to number 200 to 300 - withdrew almost unscathed; the raiders apparently lost only two men during the attacks. The rebels killed 67 members of security forces, including the republic's Interior Minister Abukar Kostoyev, his deputy Zyaudin Kotiev, top prosecutors, and other officials; they also captured and looted the MVD's armory and police depots. 25 civilians, including a local United Nations worker, were killed in the crossfire.

Federal Interior Minister Rashid Nurgaliyev met with General Vyacheslav Tikhomirov, the commander of Russia's Interior Ministry forces, and blamed them for the high number of deaths. Tikhomirov decided to resign after the meeting.

[edit] 2008 Protests

Widespread protests erupted in January 2008, with a strong government response. The disturbances appear to have been fueled by heavy-handed government and para-military activity, including abductions, arrests and murders.[1] Protesters demanded the resignation of President Zyazikov, an ally of President Putin.[2]