Summary of the main news related to the conflict in Chechnya. Compiled by Prague Watchdog.
Monday, May 26
Russian security forces liquidated several tonnes of explosives they discovered on two "Kamaz" lorries that were stopped by the local police near the village of Chermen in North Ossetia, and said that the explosive was the same as the one used in recent bombings in Znamenskoye and Grozny.
Tuesday, May 27
No major events.
Wednesday, May 28
Russian security forces committed serious human rights violations and breached international humanitarian law in Chechnya, with almost total impunity, and Chechen armed groups committed serious human rights abuses, too, stated Amnesty International in its Annual Report 2003, which covers events from January to December 2002.
The establishment of the State Council of the Chechen Republic, which should fulfil the role of a legislative body until parliamentary elections take place in Chechnya, is underway and it should for the first time convene by June 10, head of the Moscow-backed Chechen administration, Akhmad Kadyrov, said during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.
Thursday, May 29
Over 1,000 contract soldiers from the 104th paratroop regiment will be dispatched to Chechnya in June, announced Georgiy Shpak, Commander of the Airborne Troops of the Russian Federation. Shpak added that the contract soldiers will replace those are leaving Chechnya.
Friday, May 30
Three people died and several others were injured when a bus carrying construction workers from Russia's main military base in Chechnya ran over a mine in the Oktyabrsky district of Grozny.
Saturday, May 31
Akhmad Kadyrov, head of Chechnya's Moscow-backed Chechen administration, promised large financial reward for information about the whereabouts of Aslan Maskhadov, President of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria.
At the European Union-Russia summit in St Petersburg, the EU effectively expressed support to Russia's measures aimed at the stabilisation of the situation in Chechnya, namely the March constitutional referendum and Russian President's amnesty proposal.
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