5 October 2004 -- Major General Alu Alkhanov was sworn in as Chechnya's president today in a heavily guarded ceremony in Grozny.
Russian and Chechen officials took extraordinary security measures to safeguard Alkhanov's inauguration. These included sending hundreds of police and security officials to the streets and keeping the location of the event secret until just before it was due to start.
Alkhanov was a top regional police official who was elected on 29 August in a vote widely criticized as unfair.
The ceremony was held inside the government complex, with guests entering one at a time through security cordons and metal detectors.
Russian authorities have expressed concern that Chechen rebels and their supporters would continue to be using violence in their fight for independence.
(AP/AFP)
For the latest news on the situation in Chechnya, see RFE/RL's webpage on the "Crisis in Chechnya".
Alkhanov was a top regional police official who was elected on 29 August in a vote widely criticized as unfair.
The ceremony was held inside the government complex, with guests entering one at a time through security cordons and metal detectors.
Russian authorities have expressed concern that Chechen rebels and their supporters would continue to be using violence in their fight for independence.
(AP/AFP)
For the latest news on the situation in Chechnya, see RFE/RL's webpage on the "Crisis in Chechnya".