Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Russia

Chechen Separatist Envoy Urges Inquiry Into Mysterious Illness

Akhmed Zakaev (file photo) (CTK)

26 December 2005 -- A Chechen separatist envoy today urged an international inquiry into a mysterious children's illness in the Russian republic of Chechnya.

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December 26, 2005

Akhmed Zakaev, a representative of the Chechen rebel leadership who lives in London, asked for an "urgent international investigation" in a letter to Rogelio Pfirter, director-general of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

About 80 people, including 58 children, have fallen ill recently in several towns with breathing problems, headaches, and cramps.

Zakaev suggested that chemical poisoning was to blame rather than psychological factors as claimed by doctors.

Some local officials said the symptoms could indicate a form of nerve-gas poisoning. But Russian medical experts sent to Chechnya have firmly rejected those allegations, saying the disease had psychological causes.

(AP)

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