Two Chechen Rebels Given Life Sentences

(RFE/RL)

PRAGUE, April 11, 2006 (RFE/RL) -- The Supreme Court of Russia's southern republic of Chechnya has sentenced two separatist fighters to life in prison.

The Russian Prosecutor-General's Office says Islam Tukhashev and Yakub Bidiyev were convicted on terror-related charges on April 10.

Russian media say the two men were arrested in Daghestan in 2004. They also identify Bidiyev as a trustworthy subordinate of radical Chechen field commander Shamil Basayev.