BRIEFS
Publication: North Caucasus Weekly Volume: 7 Issue: 9
–ZYAZIKOV’S FATHER-IN-LAW KIDNAPPED
Interfax reported on March 1 that law enforcement agencies had identified a group of suspects who could have been involved in abducting Ingush legislator Magomed Chakhkiev, the father-in-law of Ingush President Murat Zyazikov. Ingush Interior Minster Beslan Khamkhoev told the news agency that the abductors had not made contact or put forward demands, but that Chakhkiev apparently had not been taken out of Ingushetia. Khamkhoev suggested that Chakhkiev was abducted to destabilize the situation in the republic. “This is a political order behind which some dark forces stand,” he said. Russian media reported on February 27 that Chakhkiev was abducted after his car came under fire as he was traveling home to Nazran. Meanwhile, an attack by unknown gunmen killed a resident of the Ingush village of Galashki. The attack wounded another local resident and a serviceman, Kavkazky Uzel reported on February 28.
–DAGESTANI POLICEMEN WOUNDED
Three policemen were wounded when unidentified gunmen opened fire at a police patrol at an intersection in the Dagestani city of Khasavyurt, Interfax reported on February 25, citing a local law enforcement source. According to the news agency, the policemen were hospitalized.
–MORE THAN 3500 RUSSIAN SOLDIERS KILLED IN CHECHNYA SINCE 1999
The Associated Press reported on February 26 that, according to Russia’s Defense Ministry, 3,501 servicemen died in combat in Chechnya from 1999 through the end of January of this year and 32 went missing. The death toll does not include losses of troops operating under the Interior Ministry, the Federal Security Service and other federal law enforcement agencies.
–CHECHNYA LOOKS FORWARD TO CHINESE LOAN
Chechen President Alu Alkhanov told reporters in Moscow on February 28 that China might provide the Chechen Republic with $300 million under guarantees from Vnesheconombank to implement investment projects, Interfax reported. Alkhanov said that a Chechen delegation is planning a visit to China in April, during which the corresponding agreements will be signed.
