MSF Worker Disappears in Chechnya

Amsterdam, January 10, 2001 — In an attack on a humanitarian convoy in Chechnya yesterday, a relief worker for the international organization Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), was taken by armed men.

The combined four-car convoy of MSF, Action Contre la Faim (Action Against Hunger, ACF) and national medical staff, was attacked in western Chechnya by men in unidentified cars. The MSF worker was forced out of his car into the attackers' car, which then disappeared. The remaining national and international staff managed to get away safely after the attack.

MSF is extremely concerned about the fate of their colleague and is outraged by this direct attack on a clearly marked humanitarian convoy that was delivering medical assistance to the Chechen population. MSF urges that whoever may be holding their colleague, will respect his physical and mental integrity and will release him unharmed.