Grozny, 28 November 1997 (RFE/RL) - Nine Ingush policemen, abducted Wednesday in the Russian republic of Ingushetia by an armed Chechen group, were released yesterday following an agreement with Chechen and Ingush authorities.
Our correspondent reports the policemen were released in Chechnya and were expected to return late yesterday to the Ingush capital of Nazran.
Earlier yesterday, Ingush Interior Minister Daud Karigov told Itar-tass that an agreement had been reached with the abductors for the unconditional release of the hostages. No information was provided on the identity of the abductors. Ingush law-enforcement officials flew Wednesday to the Chechen capital Grozny to take part alongside Chechen officials in negotiations for the hostages' release.
The nine men were seized Wednesday when an unidentified group of Chechen gunmen attacked a police post in an Ingush district near the border with Chechnya.
Our correspondent reports the policemen were released in Chechnya and were expected to return late yesterday to the Ingush capital of Nazran.
Earlier yesterday, Ingush Interior Minister Daud Karigov told Itar-tass that an agreement had been reached with the abductors for the unconditional release of the hostages. No information was provided on the identity of the abductors. Ingush law-enforcement officials flew Wednesday to the Chechen capital Grozny to take part alongside Chechen officials in negotiations for the hostages' release.
The nine men were seized Wednesday when an unidentified group of Chechen gunmen attacked a police post in an Ingush district near the border with Chechnya.