Aslan Maskhadov's London-based emissary, Akhmed Zakaev, told Ekho Moskvy on March 8 (prior to receiving confirmation of Maskhadov's death) that if Maskhadov indeed had been killed, this would lead to an upsurge of terrorism in Chechnya and across Russia. "If it is confirmed, then it... MORE

Russian human rights activists were pessimistic about the effect that Aslan Maskhadov's killing would likely have on the Chechen conflict. Lyudmila Alekseyeva, leader of the Moscow Helsinki Group, said that Maskhadov's death was not "good news," Interfax reported on March 8. "He was a man... MORE

The Russian government and pro-Moscow Chechen officials, along with pro-Kremlin politicians, welcomed Maskhadov's death. State Duma Speaker Boris Gryzlov said that Maskhadov's destruction should be interpreted unambiguously, RIA Novosti reported on March 9. "With this result, there will be much less evil," Gryzlov said. "I... MORE

Aslan Maskhadov's last interview before his death was posted by Chechenpress on March 4. According to the separatist new agency, the questions were submitted to Maskhadov by "correspondents of world news agencies, including Chechen agencies." Radio Liberty said the questions that the Chechen separatist leader... MORE

On March 7, unknown gunmen shot up a police car on the outskirts of the Dagestani town of Kaspiisk, wounding an officer in the head and shoulder, RIA Novosti reported. On March 6, two police officers in Dagestan's capital, Makhachkala, were killed when unidentified persons... MORE

Perhaps the most significant reason why the policy of "Chechenization" - aptly described in the February 23 issue of Chechnya Weekly by Andrei Smirnov as a policy intended "to make Chechens fight Chechens in order to save the lives of Russian soldiers and to transfer... MORE

Press reports and official statements concerning the circumstances of Aslan Maskhadov's death, far from clearing things up, made them even murkier. In his May 8, Ilya Shabalkin, spokesman for the federal forces in the North Caucasus, said the rebel leader had been killed when security... MORE

The location of Maskhadov's body also remains a source of controversy. Following the announcement of Maskhadov's death, Ramzan Kadyrov said the body should be turned over to Maskhadov's relatives but Ilya Shabalkin, spokesman for the federal forces in Chechnya, said it would not be turned... MORE

Some of the sharpest criticism of the killing of Aslan Maskhadov came from politicians and Chechen refugees in Georgia. Koba Davitashvili, leader of Georgia's "Association of National Forces – Conservatives" opposition party, called Maskhadov's killing "an act of state terrorism on the part of Russia."... MORE

Deputies in the parliaments of Estonia and Lithuania condemned the killing of Aslan Maskhadov. Andres Herkel, a member of the Pro Patria Union party, said that in eliminating the rebel leader, "Russia lost the last hope for resolving the conflict in Chechnya by peaceful means,"... MORE