EU: Russia must probe Chechnya killings

BRUSSELS, Aug. 15 (UPI) -- The European Union has asked Russia to do more to protect human rights campaigners in Chechnya.

The statement was in response to the killing of Alik Dzhabrailov and his wife, Zarema Sadulayeva, the EU Observer reported.

The couple, who worked for Save the Generation, were kidnapped Monday, and their bodies were found the next day in Grozny.

Sweden, the current president of the EU, said the killings must be investigated "promptly, transparently and thoroughly."

Relatives said Sadulayeva told the kidnappers if they were taking her husband, they should take her as well.

A number of prominent critics of Russian policy in Chechnya have been killed.

Nataliya Estemirova was shot dead in the region in July.

Chechnya human rights lawyer Stanislav Markelov and journalist Anna Politkovskaya were killed in Moscow in recent years.