Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Russia

Russia Plans Amnesty For Chechen Separatists

Nikolai Patrushev (file photo) (ITAR-TASS)

July 18, 2006 -- The head of Russia's National Anti-Terrorism Committee, Nikolai Patrushev, has offered an amnesty to Chechen separatists who lay down their weapons.

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July 18, 2006

Details of the amnesty have yet to be worked out, but Patrushev, who also heads Russia's domestic intelligence service, the FSB, said the amnesty would offer those "deceived by the leaders of militant groups and drawn into criminal activity...a real chance to return to peaceful life."

Patrushev urged rebels to disarm by August 1.

The amnesty follows the death of rebel warlord Shamil Basayev on July 10.

Past amnesties have had limited success.

(dpa, Reuters)

Shamil Basayev

Shamil Basayev in September 1999 (epa)

MASTERMIND OF BUDYONNOVSK, BESLAN: Radical Chechen field commander Shamil Basayev waged a 15-year campaign against Russian control of Chechnya, including masterminding some of the most audacious terrorist acts the world has ever seen. Below are links to some of RFE/RL's reporting about Basayev in recent years.

The Rise Of Russia's 'Terrorist No. 1'

Is Basayev Planning To Torpedo The Russian-Chechen Power-Sharing Treaty?

Basayev Rejoins Chechen Rebel Government

Basayev Pledges More Attacks

Basayev Says He Helped Plan Nalchik Raid

Basayev Says Beslan Raid Prompted By FSB Sting

Moscow Says It Will Punish U.S. TV Network Over Basayev Interview

Budyonnovsk Marks 10th Anniversary Of Terrorist Raid

Look Back In Anger -- Ten Years Of War In Chechnya

CHRONOLOGY

An annotated timeline of the conflict.

ARCHIVE

RFE/RL's complete coverage of Russia's war-torn Republic of Chechnya.

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