Interview Transcript

Questions and Answers

Question: Who in the "Mutafajjarat" squad, besides Abu Umar himself, possessed the skills to manufacture an improvised explosive device (IED) with a timer based on "Casio" watches?
Answer: As far as I know, Abu Umar had several people who manufactured such explosive devices; the rest were simply executors who were taught to set up already prepared charges and connect the timer to the detonator. I know for certain that Abu Bakr was able to do this, as he had at one time studied radio engineering at an institute in Arabia. Most likely, he produced the prototype which the others began to replicate.

Question: What were the actuating mechanisms of the IEDs made of, what was their appearance, power sources, and radio components used in the assembly of the circuits?
Answer: I did not engage in this myself; I didn't even pay attention to such things, it was not of interest to me.

Question: What explosive was usually used to equip the IEDs?
Answer: In Chechnya, IEDs were usually manufactured on the basis of artillery shells.

Question: Are you familiar with the "Mutafajjarat" militants with the Islamic names Abdul-Rauf (Karachay), Abu-Khureira (Uzbek), and Abdu-Rakhim (Karachay)? Are you aware of their close connections among persons of Ingush nationality – "Mutafajjarat" militants, and their current location?
Answer: I know Abdul-Rauf and Abdu-Rakhim. I went through "training" with them. They are originally from Uchkeken. Abdu-Rakhim is Timur Batchaev, and Abdul-Rauf is his younger brother Zaur. As far as I know, only Timur is currently alive. Zaur died in October 1999 along with some Uzbek. According to Timur, they blew themselves up on their own "tripwire." I do not know the exact place of his death. Timur told me about his death. Timur himself, at the time of my arrest, was in the Pankisi Gorge in Georgia, in the village of Middle Khalatsani. Among the Ingush, they communicated, as far as I know, with Moaz (as I have now learned, his name was Magomed Tsokiev). I don't remember anyone else.

Question: Are you familiar with persons of Ingush nationality – "Mutafajjarat" militants with the Islamic names Abu-Bakr and Sayfulla? If yes, then report all information known to you about them.