NEW RESHUFFLING AT THE FSB.

The director of the Federal Security Service (FSB), Col. General Mikhail Barsukov, has announced the dismissal of his deputy, Lt. General. Igor Mezhakov; of the anti-terrorism department chief, Maj. General Anatoly Semenov; and of the head of the FSB’s branch in Stavropol kray, Maj.-General. Romanov (no first name given). (7)

The three generals were dismissed simultaneously and effective immediately, but the reasons for their dismissal might differ. Mezhakov had become the subject of charges of nepotism, since he is related to First Deputy Prime Minister Oleg Soskovets. Semenov might have lost his job because his department has become part of the newly-created antiterrorism center. Romanov’s dismissal might be seen as belated punishment for the Chechen raid on Budennovsk, which is located on territory under his supervision.

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