HAS THE MOZDOK TRUCK-BOMBING BEEN SOLVED?
Trud, August 13, 2003, EV
Chief Military Prosecutor Alexander Savenkov has stated that the investigaation into the August 1 terrorist act in Mozdok will be completed within months.
After visiting the Krasnogorsk Military Hospital together with the defense minister, Savenkov said: “We have identified the terrorist perpetrators themselves and all those involved in obtaining the KamAZ truck used in the bombing. The investigation is being monitored by the Prosecutor General, and within the next few months we shall be able to report on who was responsible.”
Commenting on investigations into whether the Mozdok garrison commander and the head of the Mozdok Military Hospital were in any way to blame, Savenkov noted that “the gates to the hospital were opened by irresponsibility and failure to follow orders.” Meanwhile, a posthumous Order of Courage has been awarded to Private Valerii Laba, who attempted to prevent the terrorist act.
CHECHNYA: THE ANTI-KADYROV COALITION EXPANDS
Nezavisimaya Gazeta, August 13, 2003, EV
In Chechnya yesterday, Shamil Buraev, former head of the Achkhoi-Martan district, informed the Chechen electoral commission of his intention to run for president. He is the fourteenth candidate. Buraev says he has only one goal: to take as many votes as possible from current head of Chechnya, Akhmad Kadyrov, who “groundlessly dismissed” Buraev from his former post. Buraev, who had served as district leader throughout both wars in Chechnya, was dismissed shortly before Kadyrov set up the State Council of Chechnya.
Thus, another member has been added to the “anti-Kadyrov coalition” recently announced by another presidential candidate, Malik Saidullaev. However, two of Kadyrov’s most significant rivals have yet to register as candidates: economics professor Ruslan Khasbulatov and Duma member Aslambek Aslakhanov. Khasbulatov told us he would register closer to the deadline (August 20); Aslakhanov says he is still thinking it over, since “there are serious problems with campaign funding.” In any event, the arrival of a disgruntled former district leader in the camp of Kadyrov’s rivals is a reminder that the fight ahead will be tough.
