Summary of the main news related to the conflict in Chechnya. Compiled by Prague Watchdog.
Monday, April 22
At its spring 2002 session the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe noted progress in Russia's democratic and human rights conduct but expressed concern about Russian operations in Chechnya.
Tuesday, April 23
No major events.
Wednesday, April 24
Russian State Duma almost unanimously interpellated Russian Premier Mikhail Kasyanov about the Chechen-language broadcasting of the Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Russian MPs said the broadcasting, which was launched on April 3, is subversive, provides open support to Chechen guerillas and intervenes into Russia's internal affairs.
Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) reportedly liquidated during a special operation in the Nozhay-Yurt district a personal bodyguard of field commander Khattab, Ilyas Isayev (nicknamed Elsi the Redhead). FSB said Isayev was just carrying a video footage documenting Khattab's burial.
Thursday, April 25
Top Chechen field commander Khattab was killed in Chechnya in a special operation in late March, Russian news agency Interfax reported referring to FSB officials.
Friday, April 26
No major events.
Saturday, April 27
Representatives of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria confirmed the death of field commander Khattab, after Russia's FSB casted on Russian state television RTR on Friday 3-minute footage which was made by Chechen fighters and which showed his corpse.
Abu al-Valid took command of units which were subordinate to killed field commander Khattab, Russian military sources informed.
Sunday, April 28
General Alexandr Lebed, who helped to end the first Chechen war (1994-1996) and since 1998 has worked as the governor of the Krasnodar region, died after his MI-8 helicopter crashed near Abakan, South Siberia.
Murat Zyazikov, former Deputy of the Russian President's Plenipotentiary in the Southern Federal Region, won the second round of presidential elections in Ingushetia, receiving 53 per cent of votes. Zyazikov beat Alikhan Amirkhanov, Ingush deputy to the Russian State Duma, who received 42 per cent of votes.
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