The Week in Brief: Mar 5 - Mar 11, 2001Mon, Mar 5
Human Rights Center "Memorial" accused Russian troops in Chechnya of summary executions, having published a videomaterial on the recent discovery of a mass grave with some 50 bodies in the "Zdorovie" settlement near the Khankala military base.
Tue, Mar 6
No major events.
Wed, Mar 7
Chechen nationals Ruslan Akhmadov and Badrudi Murtazayev were arrested in the Azerbaijani capital Baku and then handed over to Russia. The couple has been accused of kidnappings and murder.
The number of bodies found in the mass grave discovered on February 24 has risen to 60.
Russian State Duma refused to review the draft bill absolving persons guilty of crimes committed in the Republic of Chechnya in the period of March 25-30, 2000. The proposal tabled by Zhirinovski’s Liberal-Democratic Party was aimed at amnestying Colonel Budanov, the first Russian senior officer to be charged with war crimes.
Thu, Mar 8 The partial withdrawal of Russian troops from Chechnya will begin in March, announced Valery Baranov, commander of the federal troops in the North Caucasus.
Fri, Mar 9
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson, expressed serious concern over reports of continuing human rights violations in Chechnya.
Sat, Mar 10
No major events.
Sun, Mar 11
Chechen warlord Shamil Basayev admitted that U.S. aid worker Kenneth Gluck had been kidnapped by Chechen fighters, and expressed his apology for the "sad misunderstanding", according to a letter partisan site Kavkaz Center published in its March 12 issue.
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