UN official welcomes release of Russian relief worker abducted in Chechnya

The United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator today welcomed the release of the head of a Russian non-governmental organization who had been abducted last July while working in Chechnya.

In a statement, Kenzo Oshima thanked the Russian authorities for their efforts in securing the release of Nina Davydovich, the head of Druzhba, after more than five months. At the same time, he expressed "extreme concern" about the fate of Arjan Erkel, a volunteer for Médecins Sans Frontières who was abducted in Dagestan last August. Mr. Oshima joined the medical relief agency in calling for Mr. Erkel's immediate release.

Mr. Oshima also underscored the solidarity of the UN humanitarian community with the hundreds of civilians who have been abducted in Chechnya in recent years, and called on those responsible to ensure their victims.