23:00, 7 November 2006

Torshin: 380 militants responded to amnesty in Russia

According to the National Antiterrorist Committee (NAC), from the moment of announcing the amnesty, a total of 380 militants have voluntarily surrendered in Russia. Alexander Torshin, member of the NAC and vice-speaker of the Council of Federation, told about it to the RIA "Novosti."

Mr. Torshin has noted that lately "the geography of those willing to lay down arms and get back to peaceful life has essentially extended."

According to Mr. Senator, the number of those surrendered in Chechnya was 315 persons, in Dagestan - 38 persons, Ingushetia - 15 persons, Astrakhan Region and Kabardino-Balkaria - three persons in each, Stavropol Territory - two persons, Rostov Region, North Ossetia, Volgograd and Irkutsk Regions - one person in each. "Thus, we have registered even a fact of voluntary laying down arms by a member of an illegal armed formation even in the Irkutsk Region," he stressed.