To the Chairman of the Commission for the Investigation of the Apartment Bombings in the Fall of 1999

S. A. Kovalyov
Moscow

In connection with reports of the arrest of Yusuf Krymshamkhalov and the death of Timur Batchaev, the publication of a letter from Krymshamkhalov and Batchaev in Novaya Gazeta, and statements by the FSB about the "solving" of the 1999 terrorist attacks, I consider it necessary to return to this topic once again, to critically assess what is actually known about the role of the "Karachay group," what the facts are, and where wishful thinking is being passed off as reality.

Established Facts (According to Personal Testimony)

The following has been established:

1. The Krymshamkhalov-Batchaev-Dekkushev group transported a cargo of hexogen from the North Caucasus to Moscow.
2. Achemez Gochiyaev rented premises in the basements of residential buildings in Moscow, where bags of hexogen were placed.

Both the Krymshamkhalov group and Gochiyaev claim they were used blindly (in the dark). At the same time, Krymshamkhalov-Batchaev-Dekkushev believed they were transporting explosives for actions against military, not civilian, targets. Gochiyaev claims he knew nothing at all about the planned terrorist attacks.

Unanswered Questions

If these testimonies are to be believed, the following questions remain unanswered:

1. Who were the clients for the transport of hexogen and the rental of storage facilities? Were they the same people?
2. What is the origin of the hexogen? Where was it produced? How did it get to the starting point of the transport?
3. Did Gochiyaev come into direct contact with Krymshamkhalov-Batchaev-Dekkushev before or after the terrorist attacks?
4. Did Gochiyaev really warn the authorities about two caches in Kapotnya and on Borisov Ponds?
5. Gochiyaev's motive in the terrorist attacks attributed to him is unclear.

Analysis of Roles

It is obvious that no one from the Krymshamkhalov-Batchaev-Dekkushev group possessed the intellectual, organizational, and financial resources to organize such an operation.

• As organizers, Krymshamkhalov and Batchaev name "Abubakar" and "Abdulgofur," whom they consider FSB agents.
• For its part, the FSB names Gochiyaev as the organizer.

After Krymshamkhalov and Dekkushev fell into the hands of the FSB, their further testimony cannot be considered reliable. Most likely, they will be forced to confirm the version of Gochiyaev's leading role.

Achemez Gochiyaev remains a key witness to the Moscow bombings. Contact with him has been lost; whether he is alive is unknown.

Statement Regarding Terror-99

The apartment bombings can in no way be called "solved." The only truly solved episode of "Terror-99" is the attempted terrorist attack in Ryazan, carried out by FSB agents. The FSB remains the primary suspect in the commission of all the terrorist attacks of autumn 1999.

Call to Action

In connection with the above, I call upon the members of the commission to:

• Show persistence in the independent verification of Gochiyayev's testimony.
• Gain access to the defendants Dekkushev and Krymshamkhalov, who are likely being subjected to pressure to obtain false testimony.

I ask the commission to once again demand the declassification of materials on the "Ryazan case," without which any investigation into the 1999 terrorist attacks cannot be considered objective, complete, and comprehensive.

Alexander Litvinenko
London
December 13, 2002