The announcement of Khaidov being wanted was an attempt to conceal the involvement of security forces in his disappearance.

The announcement of police officer Yasin Khaidov from Chechnya being wanted is an attempt to conceal the real circumstances of his detention at the border with Kazakhstan and subsequent disappearance. Leaving the country to avoid participating in combat operations poses risks for active contractors and security forces; seeking to terminate service due to health reasons is a more effective way, human rights defenders noted.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", the Investigative Committee of Chechnya is investigating a case under the article on murder regarding the disappearance of police officer Yasin Khaidov. The wanted announcement states that he left home in Shali and did not return, while his detention at the border of Russia and Kazakhstan is not mentioned.

The investigation into Khaidov's case is trying to conceal the circumstances of his disappearance

A human rights defender familiar with Yasin Khaidov's situation believes that the wanted announcement is an attempt to conceal the real circumstances of his detention and subsequent disappearance.

"There is one conclusion here - the investigative authorities are afraid to conduct an investigation," he stated.

In response to initial complaints submitted to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the prosecutor's office, and the FSB in Chechnya back in May 2023, several replies were received that had no real relation to the case. No one was familiarized with the materials.

According to the human rights defender, Khaidov's defense currently cannot influence or even learn anything about the investigation.

"In response to initial complaints submitted to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the prosecutor's office, and the FSB in Chechnya back in May 2023, several replies were received that had no real relation to the case. No one was familiarized with the materials. And without access to the case, it is impossible to continue working. Moreover, Khaidov's relatives are not in contact and do not communicate with anyone," he explained.

The chairperson of the "Civil Assistance" Committee* Svetlana Gannushkina* sees nothing special in Khaidov's wanted announcement.

"Usually, a criminal case is initiated regarding a possible murder. This is standard practice. But the fact that the circumstances of Khaidov's disappearance are related to security forces is typically overlooked," she told a correspondent of "Caucasian Knot.".

Khaidov's story is indeed typical for Chechnya.

"But now we can expect anything from us and anywhere," Gannushkina* concluded.

The human rights defender called resignation due to health reasons one of the few ways to leave service

The director of the human rights group "Citizen. Army. Law"* Sergey Krivenko* informed a correspondent of "Caucasian Knot" that there are cases when "military personnel who are in the combat zone at some point cannot endure and for various reasons, some for reasons of conscience, consciously or not, refuse military service."

"Some of them try to leave the country. Some even manage to leave. According to our estimates, several hundred people are currently in Kazakhstan, Armenia, and other countries. And literally a dozen people manage to legalize themselves in Europe, for example, obtaining asylum in France through the courts. But this is a very complicated procedure," he pointed out.

According to the interlocutor, some who have left military service without permission are even ready to go to prison just to avoid returning to the combat zone.

"Resignation from the army, from military service is currently impossible due to Putin's decree of September 21, 2022. Besides imprisonment, years of service until 65, and serious injury. For other reasons, it is practically impossible. And therefore many cannot endure and run away. Not only in Chechnya but throughout the country. Many of them, due to health reasons, try to resign. Therefore, there is such a method that one must somehow leave for the mainland (referring to regions that were part of the Russian Federation before 2014) of Russia. Gather medical documents, undergo examinations somewhere in independent organizations. And with this package, go to the military prosecutor's office, to the military investigative departments," he explained.

According to him, there are also those who write reports refusing to participate in combat operations. "This is a criminal article, article 332. But they prefer to go to prison. If everything is done correctly and competently, one can get a minimum of 2-3 years. Although this article can lead to a sentence of 10 years. Some simply come and declare desertion and want to receive punishment under article 337 of the Criminal Code. Here, lawyers and attorneys are needed to help present everything correctly so that the sentence is not maximum. There are those who simply run within the Russian Federation. And those who are trying to escape abroad," Krivenko said.

He also noted that receiving punishment under article 337 to avoid going to the combat zone is difficult because such military personnel are often sent back to the front line without trial, to assault units, and therefore it is important for them to have a lawyer.

* included in the Russian register of foreign agents.

** the activities of the Meta company (owner of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp) are banned in Russia.