http://www.themoscowtimes.com/stories/2007/01/16/011.html
Tuesday, January 16, 2007. Issue 3575.. Chechen Militants Surrender The Associated Press ROSTOV-ON-DON -- More than 500 armed militants in Chechnya and other parts of the North Caucasus have surrendered to authorities as part of an amnesty that expired Monday, an official said. Authorities proposed the amnesty last summer as part of efforts to secure peace and normalcy in Chechnya. The offer, which expired at midnight, promised that surrendering militants would avoid prosecution unless they were suspected of grave crimes such as murder, rape or terrorism. An official with the office of President Vladimir Putin's envoy to the southern federal district said more than 500 militants had turned themselves in; the official spoke on condition of anonymity since he was not authorized to speak to the media. Among those surrendering over the weekend were two bodyguards and the driver of slain Chechen rebel leader Zelimkhan Yandarbiyev, officials said. News agencies, meanwhile, cited Russia's national anti-terrorism committee as saying 546 militants had surrendered since July. The Kremlin has offered several similar amnesties in the past -- with varying results. The latest proposal followed the July death of Chechen warlord Shamil Basayev, who was behind the worst terror attacks that have plagued the country during 12 years of nearly constant conflict in Chechnya. Rights groups say many of those who surrender join the ranks of Chechnya's security forces, which have been accused of involvement in abductions, torture and extrajudicial killings targeting civilians. Large-scale battles in Chechnya ended years ago, but rebels continue to stage regular hit-and-run raids against federal forces and local allied paramilitaries. Militant attacks have also become increasingly common in other republics in the North Caucasus. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Post message: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe : [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe : [EMAIL PROTECTED] List owner : [EMAIL PROTECTED] Homepage : http://proletar.8m.com/ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/proletar/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/proletar/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
