Rebel Commander Reported Killed In Chechnya

Police near the body of Chechen militant leader Musa Mutiyev today in Grozny (ITAR-TASS)

September 9, 2007 -- Pro-Russian forces in Chechnya say they have killed a rebel commander close to Chechen separatist leader Doku Umarov.

Chechen Interior Minister General Ruslan Alkhanov said Musa Mutiyev, known as "the emir of Grozny," was killed on September 8 in a special operation in Grozny.

The minister said Mutiyev was wanted by authorities for his involvement in a series of murders and other serious crimes.

The minister added that Mutiyev was close to Umarov and had also collaborated with slain militant Rustam Basayev.

(ITAR-TASS, Interfax, AFP)