LOOKING FOR MASKHADOV

Akhmad Kadyrov announced on May 31 that “a large reward” will be paid to anyone providing information leading to the capture of Aslan Maskhadov. He did not specify the source of the funds, nor the size of the sum beyond stating that it would be enough to provide for the winner’s “children and grandchildren.”

The website Gzt.ru commented on June 2 that “it is curious that previously representatives of the Chechen administration have stated that Maskhadov is no longer in control of the activities of the guerrilla bands which have now been scattered, and that his circle of supporters now consists of only thirty to forty men….In effect Kadyrov has now admitted that Maskhadov can still have a serious influence on the situation in Chechnya.” The website also noted the stipulation that, to be eligible for the reward, the informant must communicate directly with Kadyrov himself, and concluded that the latter must fear leaks.