The detention of the leaders of the mass protests in Ingushetia, Akhmed Barakhoev, Musa Malsagov and Barakh Chemurziev was prolonged for two more months, reports Caucasian Knot.

The three leaders were detained after a rally in Magas and were serving their 10-day-long administrative arrests since April 3rd at the temporary detention centre (IVS) in Nalchik. On 13 April, twenty people waited in front of the Nalchik detention centre for the release of their leaders, however, they were not released, because they continued to be detained under criminal charges.

A criminal case has been initiated against Musa Malsagov under Article 212 (appeals to mass riots, or participation therein) and under Part 2 of Article 318 (use of violence against authorities). Barakhoev and Chemurziev are suspected to have attempted acts of violence against the law enforcement. Akhmed Barakhoev, who went on a 10-day long hunger strike, believes that his prosecution is politically motivated.

Radio Free Europe reports that the leaders of the protests were not the only ones who were effected by repressive actions. The homes of members of the NGO Ingush Congress of National Unity - Akhmed Pogorov, Barakh Chemurziyev, Musa Malsagov, Bagaudin Khautiyev, and Zarifa Sautiyeva - were searched on April 3rd. On the same day, internet access for mobile devices was not in Ingushetia.

Related article: Dr. Uwe Halbach on the Ingush-Chechen Territorial Conflict