| Invaders cordon
off Avtury Chechen Commander Rizvan Chitigov contacted Kavkaz Center news and information agency over the phone and reported that Wednesday before noon the village of Avtury was surrounded by large forces of the invaders. Heavy armored vehicles were pulled up to Avtury. The residents are not being let out or in. The head of the village's puppet administration could not get to his home either, because soldiers at the checkpoint would not let him pass. Commander Chitigov also reported that a punitive raid started in the village. No detailed reports have been available on what is going on inside the village. However, several ladies from among the locals (who managed to break out of there) told that the invaders are beating people, robbing, taking hostages, shooting at people, and threatening with mass murder. According to the eyewitnesses, at least five people were injured or maimed during the raids of Russian criminals on the villagers' homes. About 20 people were taken hostage and taken away in an unknown direction. This information was received on August 27. Kavkaz-Center News 2003-08-29 11:20:14 |