2003-03-28

ROSTOV-ON-DON, March 28, 2003. /From RIA Novosti correspondent Sofia Brykanova/--More than 20 members of bandit units, who committed
crimes in the guise of servicemen of the federal forces, were arrested in Chechnya over the past 5 months, Russia's deputy Prosecutor-General Sergei Fridinsky said at a press conference.

Among the arrestees were two criminals who had kidnapped Kenneth Gluck of Doctors without Borders, he said.

While committing their crimes, militants disguised as Russian servicemen spoke Russian, introduced themselves as Russian special services' agents, and asked people for documentd as though they were checking passports, Fridinsky narrated. It was in this manner that they kidnapped and killed Chechen mufti Gichikayev in December 2002.

According to Fridinsky, militants disguised as Russian soldiers committed around 80 crimes against Chechen civilians and servicemen of the federal forces.