Viktor Margiev's wife has reported a new round of pressure.
After the picket, the wife of police colonel Viktor Margiev met with the President of South Ossetia, who promised to ensure the family's safety. However, the pressure on the Margievs' son, who is forced to do an internship in Tskhinvali, has not ceased, she said.
As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," businessman Alan Margiev was kidnapped in Tskhinvali. Investigators announced they had opened a criminal case for kidnapping and extortion, but Margiev's brother, police colonel Viktor Margiev, accused the South Ossetian leadership of protecting an organized crime group, which he claims kidnapped Alan. Viktor Margiev stated that after his statements, he was subjected to pressure and was forced to leave South Ossetia. Members of the Margiev family held a picket today demanding the head of South Ossetia "to stop the lawlessness" in the republic. They were detained but later released. Police Colonel Viktor Margiev stated that the family, in particular his son Igor, is being subjected to threats and pressure.
Viktor Margiev's wife, Asmat Gigolaeva, explained in a video why the family was forced to take to the square. According to her, people came to their home daily demanding to see her son. "A few days ago, I went out to the square with my mother, desperate. Police officers immediately approached us and took us to the KGB. They asked us questions, and then asked why I wasn't going up to see the president. I said he wasn't seeing anyone, but they told me to go up, that he would see me. The president did indeed see me, and I went to him and told him about my situation. He promised me that my safety would be ensured," she said in a video posted on the Bonvarnon Telegram channel (video translation by "Caucasian Knot").
According to her, after the president's promises, she "went back to Vladikavkaz with peace of mind," but the pressure continued. In particular, one of the officials close to the authorities demanded that Viktor Margiev take to social media and say that United Ossetia is making politics out of this whole matter.
"We are not politicians. None of us are involved in politics. I went out to the square for justice for my child. None of us are politicians. There are no ties to the United Ossetia party. Good people, tell me, how can I let my child go to Tskhinvali for an internship after such words and ultimatums?" the woman was indignant.
According to her, they were unable to reach an agreement with the leadership of the South Ossetian Ministry of Internal Affairs for their son to do an internship in Vladikavkaz. "Now I am forced to leave my job, everything, and go with my child. Every morning I will personally accompany him to the door of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and then meet him and take him home. I have no other choice. That's the word "Our leadership, this is their 'safety,'" she stated in the video.
The United Ossetia party appealed to South Ossetian President Alan Gagloev on its Telegram channel to "stop this injustice and sort out the situation surrounding this family."