23:31, 8 December 2003

44 rebels laid down arms

Another ceremony of voluntarily laying down arms by members of illegal armed units took place in Grozny on December 3. 44 rebels refused to confront the authorities later on. This has been one of the most impressive actions since the amnesty was announced. Representatives of the regional operations headquarters believe it to be a consequence of political measures to form legitimate government bodies. As the rebels who laid down arms can be supposedly hunted by those who are still in illegal armed units, they will spend some time on the territory of special elements. No one of them will be arrested, and they will be able to return to their families, according to the source at the headquarters. There will be an appropriate check in respect of these rebels, but due to the special situation in Chechnya, all of them will be given an opportunity to partake in peaceful constructive work.

Author: Ruslan Umarov, CK correspondent

Source: Caucasian Knot