Red Cross appealed to Arjan Erkel's kidnappers

The International Committee of the Red Cross appealed, Tuesday, to the kidnappers of Arjan Erkel, a head of the "Doctors Without Borders" mission in Dagestan, asking to release him. Mr Erkel was kidnapped in Dagestan a year ago. The ICRC Moscow representation issued a statement to this effect.

"Since the kidnapping, the ICRC has repeatedly demanded an immediate and unconditional release of Arjan Erkel, and is demanding it again," reads the statement.

"The international humanitarian law does not allow taking civilians hostage. Security is still a major problem for all humanitarian organizations working in the Northern Caucasus," recalled the Red Cross.