Destiny of Maskhadov's relatives remains unknown

The whereabouts and further destiny of Chechen separatist leader Aslan Maskhadov's two elder brothers abducted by gunmen in masks over a month ago remain unknown. A group of gunmen in masks and camouflage uniforms moving in several cars took away at night Aslan Maskhadov's sister, who lived in the village of Krasnaya Turbina situated in the Staropromislovsky district of the Chechen capital, Grozny. At about the same time, other gunmen took away the two brothers of the Chechen separatist leader from their houses. It was reported earlier that Aslan Maskhadov's sister had been released.

People in Chechnya believe that the abduction of Aslan Maskhadov's close relatives was organized by officers of the Chechen president's security service headed by Ramzan Kadyrov, Chechen Deputy Prime Minister. Locals think that it was done with the purpose of forcing the president of the unrecognized Chechen Republic of Ichkeria to lay down arms and give himself up to the authorities. However Aslan Maskhadov has stated he will give himself up under no conditions, even if officers of security agencies take as hostages all his close and distant relatives, or even the entire family, some sources say.

The Chechen Interior Ministry asserts that there was no abduction of Aslan Maskhadov's relatives. The republican law enforcement agencies know nothing about it anyhow.