Summary of the main news related to the conflict in Chechnya. Compiled by Prague Watchdog.
Monday, June 10
No major events.
Tuesday, June 11
The Russian military completed a three-week "mopping-up" operation in Mesker-Yurt, during which soldiers sealed off the village and carried out house-to-house searches in an effort to find Chechen fighters, who allegedly numbered several dozen. While Chechnya's Prosecutor Nikolai Kostyuchenko said that no violations of citizens' rights have been reported during the operation, the Chechen side reported widespread beating and torture. Four people have been reported missing after the operation ended.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria issued a statement expressing its deep concerns about the failure of the mission of the OSCE Assistance Group to Chechnya to fulfil its mandate. Although the Assistance Group re-opened its office in the village of Znamenskoye a year ago (on June 15, 2001), the situation with human rights and freedoms in Chechnya has in fact deteriorated and the process of peaceful resolution of the conflict has never even started, the ministry stated.
Wednesday, June 12
The Russian Interior Ministry forces launched a special operation in Chechen-Aul, sealing off the village by a large number of armoured vehicles and checking documents of the people in the village.
Thursday, June 13
The European Commission said it is providing additional humanitarian aid, especially food, medical assistance, non-food support and shelter, worth 4.5 million euro to assist the victims of the conflict in Chechnya until the end of the year. The funds will cover the most pressing needs of people affected by the fighting both in Chechnya itself and in the neighbouring republics.
Heads of administration of Chechen villages Samashki, Novyi Sharoi and Valerik have been removed from their posts on suspicion of cooperation with Chechen guerillas, Russian news agencies reported.
Most Russians do not expect that the situation in Chechnya will normalise in the nearest future, according to a poll carried out by the "Obshestvennoye mneniye" fundation among 1,500 respondents in June. ("won't normalise" - 59 per cent, "will normalise" - 27 per cent)
Friday, June 14
Spokesman for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Kris Janowski said that the Russian Federation assured the United Nations that Chechen refugees in Ingushetia will not be forced to return to Chechnya. Russia stated that only those willing to go back would be returned under the new scheme, Janowski said.
Russia's Chief Military Prosecutor and Deputy Prosecutor General Mikhail Kislitsyn announced he had sent a letter of resignation due to health reasons.
Saturday, June 15
Vladislav Vakhitov, a private serving in the 12th batallion of Interior Ministry forces, who deserted on June 13 after he shot dead two officers on his sentry duty at Russia's military headquarters in Khankala, died during an attempt to cross the border between Chechnya and the Stavropol region. Vakhitov reportedly shot himself dead before being caught.
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