Russia must probe deaths and abductions in Crimea - rights group

Crimean Tatars carry the body of Reshat Ametov during his funeral outside the town of Simferopol March 18, 2014. REUTERS/Vasily Fedosenko

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia must investigate the deaths and abductions of activists in Crimea who have opposed Moscow's annexation of the peninsula and ensure the rights of minorities and media are respected, a leading European human rights watchdog said on Monday.

In a 16-page report, the Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights Nils Muiznieks highlighted the cases of three missing civil society activists and the deaths of local residents, including a teenager, since Russia took over Crimea.