Caucasus Times

12 August 2003

Abuses and harassment continued in Groznyy

About noon of August 10, the Russian military blocked traffic on the road from the Chechen capital to the south regions of the republic.

According to available information an undetermined explosive device detonated in the vicinity of Prigorodnoye of Groznensky district while a Russian military column passed by. No military casualties were reported Monday.

The Russian servicemen blocked Groznyy - Shatoi road right away and started random rifles and machine-gun fire on a nearby forestland. By all accounts the soldiers targeted Prigorodnoye as well. For a while, the traffic was completely stopped.

The inhabitants of houses nearby affirmed they had to escape in the cellars and shelters. The people believe the militaries allegedly simulated tha attack at their colomn.

"The Russian soldiers employ such tricks quite often," says a 29-year-old Mokhmad-Amin Asnakayev. "At the outset they blast an explosive somewhere near of a village then start sweeps due to an alleged hostile assault. They detain "young people" who disappear afterwards. They loot, abuse folks. They are interested in it."

The military commandant's office of the district refused to comment on the event, just mentioned a team of military detectives had already left to conduct investigation at the site.

Ruslan Adayev, Chechnya Caucasus Times