| 12.9.2003 10:02 MSK Homicide in Grozny: Kadyrov supporters suspected CHECHNYA, Grozny. On 9 September, armed men shot and killed Grozny inhabitant Bislan Khayauri. Ther murder took place in the Katayama township of the Staropromyslovsky district of Grozny. The man was the son of Arbi Khayauri, a member of the campaign staff of the presidential candidate and Moscow-based businessman, Malik Saidullayev. Eyewitness reports to the Union of Chechen Non-Governmental Organisations informed that the killers turned up at the Khayauri home n black cars without licence plates. Apparently the cars were carrying portraits of the Moscow-backed and widely feared Akhmad Kadyrov, also one of the candidates in the Presidential elections next month. In addition to murdering Khayauri, the attackers also robbed the house, it was reported. Local residents consider the murder was done to intimidate supporters of the popular and respected Malik Saidullayev. Akhmad Kadyrov has effectively ruled Chechnya since the separatist Maskhadov government was driven out of Grozny at the start of 2000. Saidullayev is well known for his charitable work and is the sponsor of the critically-acclaimed "Lovsar" Chechen folk dance troupe. PRIMA News Agency [2003-09-11-Chech-06] |