Large-scale "clean-up" operations in Grozny

Large-scale "sweep-up" operations were carried out by the Russian military and police in the Chechen capital Grozny on June 17. “Zachistkas” began early in the morning. The first target was the settlement of Katayama in the Staropromyslovsky district. At the same time a mass document-checking was conducted at the Central market in Grozny. According to some information, the "clean-up" was triggered by the killing of two Russian soldiers the night before. It's not known so far how many persons have been detained in this raid on Katayama. By witnesses' accounts, masked police stopped every passer-by at the Central market for passport checking. The "special operation" lasted till 2 pm. Several people are said to have been detained.

[18.06.2003 13:54] The Chechen Times