SHARIAT COURTS BROUGHT INTO THE FIGHT AGAINST KIDNAPPING IN CHECHNYA.

Chechen president Aslan Maskhadov has ordered that kidnapping cases should be tried and punished by Shariat courts. One such trial is to take place on April 2. According to Maskhadov, those accused face death by firing squad if their guilt is proven. (Itar-Tass, March 31)

Yeltsin to Visit Germany.