This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/09/russia-southern-stavropol-alert-bodies-found

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Russia's southern Stavropol region on alert after bodies found Russia's southern Stavropol region on alert after bodies found
(about 1 hour later)
Russian investigators are trying to determine who killed six men whose bodies were found in four cars abandoned in an area of southern Russia close to the volatile Caucasus mountains.Russian investigators are trying to determine who killed six men whose bodies were found in four cars abandoned in an area of southern Russia close to the volatile Caucasus mountains.
Three of the cars had been rigged with explosive devices, but only one of the bombs went off and no one was hurt. The victims had been shot, according to investigators.Three of the cars had been rigged with explosive devices, but only one of the bombs went off and no one was hurt. The victims had been shot, according to investigators.
The killings, discovered on Wednesday on the outskirts of Pyatigorsk, have further heightened security concerns before the Winter Olympics in Sochi. Both cities lie near the Caucasus region, where an Islamic insurgency is simmering.The killings, discovered on Wednesday on the outskirts of Pyatigorsk, have further heightened security concerns before the Winter Olympics in Sochi. Both cities lie near the Caucasus region, where an Islamic insurgency is simmering.
Russia has already tightened security before the Games – on which President Vladimir Putin has staked a lot of political and personal prestige – and is on high alert after suicide bombers killed at least 34 people in separate attacks in the southern city of Volgograd last month.Russia has already tightened security before the Games – on which President Vladimir Putin has staked a lot of political and personal prestige – and is on high alert after suicide bombers killed at least 34 people in separate attacks in the southern city of Volgograd last month.
Vladimir Markin, spokesman for Russia's main investigative agency, said that Federal Security Service officers had joined the investigation, and that no motive had yet been determined.Vladimir Markin, spokesman for Russia's main investigative agency, said that Federal Security Service officers had joined the investigation, and that no motive had yet been determined.
NTV television reported from the scene that security had been heightened on the nearby border with Kabardino-Balkaria, one of several predominantly Muslim republics in Russia's Caucasus.NTV television reported from the scene that security had been heightened on the nearby border with Kabardino-Balkaria, one of several predominantly Muslim republics in Russia's Caucasus.
Three men whose bodies were in three of the cars have been identified: two were taxi drivers and the third assembled furniture for a private businessman, Russian state news agencies reported, citing law enforcement agencies. Their names have not been released. The men were said to be local residents and drove inexpensive Soviet-model Lada cars.Three men whose bodies were in three of the cars have been identified: two were taxi drivers and the third assembled furniture for a private businessman, Russian state news agencies reported, citing law enforcement agencies. Their names have not been released. The men were said to be local residents and drove inexpensive Soviet-model Lada cars.
The three other victims were found late on Wednesday in a fourth vehicle. An explosive device had been placed next to the car in a metal bucket, but was defused by investigators, Markin said.The three other victims were found late on Wednesday in a fourth vehicle. An explosive device had been placed next to the car in a metal bucket, but was defused by investigators, Markin said.
Explosives had also been placed near two of the other cars; one of the devices went off as police approached and the other was defused.Explosives had also been placed near two of the other cars; one of the devices went off as police approached and the other was defused.
The European court of human rights on Thursday ruled that 36 men who disappeared in Chechnya between 2000 and 2006 had their right to life violated. In one of the biggest judgements of its kind, the court ordered Russia to pay more than €2.2m in damages and legal costs. The judgement incorporated 20 separate cases, brought by 90 of the victims' close relatives.
The cases date from the second Chechen war, launched by Vladimir Putin in 1999, after he became prime minister and then president. Typically, masked Russian service personnel would round up the victims from their homes and villages in sweep operations. Most were never seen again, their bodies never found. The Moscow human rights group Memorial brought three cases, together the European Human Rights Advocacy Centre [EHRAC], based at Middlesex University.
The Kremlin has grown increasingly exasperated by the court in Strasbourg, which has found against Russia on 120 similar occasions. The Russian government offered no explanation for the abductions. Last month a deputy with the ruling United Russia party proposed changing the law so the European court's rulings were no longer valid in Russia, with national legislation taking precedence.
Philip Leach, director of the EHRAC, said: "How will other European governments respond to the court's finding of mass abductions perpetrated by the security forces of another European state? Urgent steps must be taken to ensure that each of these tragic cases is investigated. The continuing failure of the Russian authorities to do so perpetuates the insecurity in the region and beyond."
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.