SWEDISH HOSTAGES RELEASED.

On June 24, Swedish citizens Daniel and Paulina Brulin, who had been kidnapped in the Dagestani capital, Makhachkala, on January 8 and later taken to Chechnya, were rescued. According to some reports, the rescue took place after a three-day joint operation by Dagestan’s security forces, led by Dagestani Security Council Secretary Magomed Tolboev and the Chechen Anti-Terrorist Center, commanded by Khunkar Israpilov. According to other reports, there was a shoot-out during the operation. According to yet other reports, the Swedes were released through diplomatic means without a shot being fired. It seems that in this case, as in all the preceding operations to release hostages, the true picture of events will remain unknown to the public. According to the OSCE, a total of sixteen other foreign citizens are believed to be being held hostage in the North Caucasus, most of them in Chechnya. (Nezavisimaya gazeta, June 26)

FRESH ELECTION TO BE HELD FOR MAYOR OF NIZHNY NOVGOROD.