Moscow, 24 March 2000 (RFE/RL) - Russia's military denied that it had banned private vehicles from traveling freely through Chechnya, but said it had placed a security alert on the breakaway republic ahead of weekend elections. The military command said in a statement that checks have been increased, but that military and civilian movement will continue as normal.
Earlier, a Defense Ministry spokesman told reporters that individual vehicles would be banned from moving around Chechnya until Monday, the day after presidential elections which Moscow fears could be disrupted by rebel fighters.
The Organization of the Islamic Conference told the UN Human Rights Commission in Geneva Friday that Russia must end its agression against Chechen civilians.
The Organization of the Islamic Conference told the UN Human Rights Commission in Geneva Friday that Russia must end its agression against Chechen civilians.