Akhmed Umarov, a brother of Ichkeria self-proclaimed republic President Doku Umarov, speak to the press.
Photo: Murad Kazbekov
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Chechen Warlord Not Dead
Doku Umarov, leader of the Chechen militants and Ichkeria’s president, has been wounded and managed to escape, contrary to official reports. Earlier, the government reported that the three-day operation outside Achkhoi-Martan of the military and intelligence had left the Chechen warlord dead.
The operation in Chechnya’s Achkoi-Martanovsky district against local militants is still underway, Nikolay Varavin of the Russian Federal Forces’ press services in the area reported. He added that the operation is being carried out by the federal forces and the FSB. However, he declined to confirm that Doku Umarov, the Chechen militant leader, is among those rounded up.
Ruslan Badalov, head of the Chechen National Salvation Committee, told Kommersant Thursday that Doku Umarov had been wounded. His source reports that Umarov was wounded in a fight outside the village of Yandy-Kotar, but managed to escape and find the way to the neighboring Ingushetia. Locals in Yandy-Kotar say that the federal forces have employed the air forces in the area to find Umarov.
The special operation in Achkhoi-Martanovsky district followed the surrender of a 35-strong militant group which included Doku Umarov’s close associates. Chechen police say they gained information on the warlord’s whereabouts from those militants. “If we will catch or eliminate Uramov, those surrendered will not only be pardoned but they will also get some material bonuses,” the police said.
www.kommersant.com
All the Article in Russian as of Nov. 24, 2006
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