Chechen Political Stance on Terrorism and Extradition

Chechen Foreign Minister Ilyas Akhmadov stated that the republic's law enforcement agencies are prepared to consider the issue of extraditing terrorists responsible for the apartment building bombings in Russia. This move effectively acknowledges the link between the war in the North Caucasus and the recent terrorist attacks.

However, the Chechen authorities have set significant demands in exchange for the saboteurs: the extradition of over two hundred Russian politicians and military leaders accused of "unleashing the genocide of the Chechen people in 1994–1996."

Key individuals named in this demand include:
* Pavel Grachev
* Anatoly Kulikov
* Sergei Stepashin
* Boris Yeltsin

Context and Previous Statements

Ilyas Akhmadov has a history of making extraordinary statements:
* In July of this year, following a military seizure of a Chechen customs post, he threatened preemptive strikes against Russia. This statement was later disavowed by Aslan Maskhadov, who claimed the minister had been misunderstood.

On Sunday, Akhmadov sent letters to Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov, stating that "official Grozny is ready to consider the issue of extraditing the terrorists who blew up houses in Buynaksk, Moscow, and Volgodonsk," provided two conditions were met:
1. The Russian side must provide convincing evidence of the involvement of residents of the Chechen Republic in the terrorist acts.
2. Certain other conditions must be met.

Specific Demands and Legal Actions

The primary condition cited is the preliminary extradition to Chechen justice authorities of "war criminals who unleashed the genocide of the Chechen people in 1994–1996."

Recently, the Chechen Prosecutor General's Office transferred a criminal case to the Supreme Sharia Court, charging two hundred Russian politicians and military leaders with mass murder.

Accused individuals include:
* Former Prime Minister Sergei Stepashin
* Former Ministers of Defense and Internal Affairs: Pavel Grachev and Anatoly Kulikov
* Generals: Deinekin, Babichev, Shamanov, Tikhomirov, Pulikovsky
* Politician: Sergei Shakhrai
* Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Federation: Boris Yeltsin

These charges were brought in absentia. Lema Tagirov, the plenipotentiary representative of the Chechen Prosecutor General in Russia, promised a correspondent that "They all face the death penalty," adding that punishment would occur "when circumstances change, and strictly according to the law."

Counter-Narratives and Analysis

A high-ranking official from the GUBOP (Main Directorate for Combating Organized Crime) of the Ministry of Internal Affairs suggested that Akhmadov's letter was a provocation:
* The GUBOP representative noted that they have data linking Akhmadov to Chechen militant leaders such as Shamil Basayev.
* The letter was deemed an attempt "to intimidate us and stop the bombing of terrorist bases."
* The GUBOP representative pointed out that one of the conditions for assisting Russian law enforcement is the extradition of pilots who bombed militant camps in August–September 1999, suggesting the offer was more of a provocation than genuine help.

Military Activity

Over the past weekend, federal aviation conducted approximately 150 sorties into Chechen territory. Targets included Chechen villages in the Shelkovsky district bordering Dagestan, and villages in the Gudermes, Nozhay-Yurt, and Vedeno districts, where militants are reportedly concentrating.

Conclusion on Negotiations

While Akhmadov's conditions render negotiations on the extradition of saboteurs meaningless, his statement confirms that the Chechen authorities have acknowledged the link between the North Caucasus war and the Russian terrorist attacks—a stance previously denied by both official Grozny (represented by Aslan Maskhadov) and Shamil Basayev.

The article concludes that the Chechen minister is bluffing, as the republic's law enforcement agencies lack the power to arrest the terrorists, given that Aslan Maskhadov's authority is limited to the presidential palace.

LEONID BERRES

Source Notes:
* Kommersant, 21.09.99, p. 1. (Note: In other reports, I. Akhmadov's words sounded different: if it is proven that the culprits are on the territory of Chechnya, she [Chechnya] will hand them over.)

Secondary Report: Moscow Events (Nova Gazeta)

Elections and Local Crime

• "DINAMO" VS. "SPARTAK"
• Moscow police arrested a fan-bomber
• Law enforcement agencies are celebrating. The Wahhabis are almost destroyed. Only the "small stuff" remains—to find the person who organized the explosion in the shopping complex on Manezhnaya. Preferably by City Day.

Detention of Mikhail Naumenko

On Saturday, the NTV morning program "Segodnya" reported that Moscow police prevented a series of explosions planned by members of a Satanist sect.

• On Friday evening on Old Arbat, near the General Staff building, MUR (Moscow Criminal Investigation Department) officers detained 22-year-old Mikhail Naumenko, a student at the Maxim Gorky Literature Institute.
• A revolver and [illegible] were found on Naumenko.
• Naumenko is alleged to be a member of a Satanist sect planning to blow up several bombs in Moscow for City Day.
• During the search, MUR and FSB Directorate for Moscow and the region officers found components for explosives in Naumenko's apartment.

Fan Culture and Motives

The detention caused bewilderment among Naumenko's friends, as he appeared too calm for Satanism. The report distinguishes between two groups within the fan movement:

1. Young and desperate fans (city punks).
2. The old Spartak guard (the cream of the grandstand society), to whom Mikhail belonged.

The "guardsmen" are described as wealthy individuals, including businessmen, government officials, and rock singers.

• Law-abidingness is a key condition for being part of the "guard"; otherwise, they would be restricted from traveling abroad.

The report concludes by noting that the investigation's outcome is uncertain, expressing doubt regarding the "Satanic trail" which has appeared too frequently.