Relief Workers Grabbed in Chechnya

RELIEF WORKERS GRABBED IN CHECHNYA

Two relief workers were taken prisoner by armed and masked men near
the border between Chechnya and Ingushetia on Sept. 20. The two men
work for Action by Churches Together (ACT) and International Orthodox
Christian Charities. They are Dimitri Petrov and Dimitri Piankowsky,
both citizens of the Russian Federation. According to ACT, the two
were taken prisoner as they were leaving Chechnya after having
completed a delivery there Sept. 21. ACT is a worldwide network of
churches, including the Lutheran World Federation, meeting human need
through coordinated emergency response. No information about the
whereabouts or condition of the two staff members is available and
nothing certain is known about the identity of those who have
captured them, according to ACT. A representative of the agencies is
trying to establish further facts and do what is possible to ensure
their release. ACT's partners carry out relief projects for the
victims of the civil war in Chechnya including providing emergency
food for refugees, families and orphans. In January a priest and
assistant from the Russian Orthodox Church were kidnaped in Chechnya.
In a statement the Board of Directors of International Orthodox
Christian Charities expressed "deep concern for the safety of its
staff and its strong commitment to working for their safe release" and
appealed for "prayers for the safety of Dimitri Petrov and Dimitri
Piankowsky ... and for the suffering people in the region who have
been served through the humanitarian work of IOCC."

For information contact:
Ann Hafften, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html