The Spiritual Board of Muslims of Ingushetia has addressed an appeal to President Putin in connection with the wave of abductions of residents of the republic, ingushetiya.ru reported on 5 November. The appeal notes that at least 40 people are still missing after having been abducted by armed men in camouflage uniforms since the beginning of this year. Those still missing include Rashid Ozdoev, a member of the staff of the local prosecutor\'s office, who was snatched in March and who is believed to have been murdered to prevent him from investigating earlier such abductions. The clergymen express gratitude to Putin for having visited Ingushetia in the wake of the 21-22 June raids on Interior Ministry facilities. They then beg him to send to Ingushetia a commission to investigate the kidnappings, noting that the release of Ozdoev would help to defuse social tensions. (RFE/RL)