Moscow categorically rejects any involvement of Chechen separatists in HPP explosion

The Kremlin has called "idiotic" the version about involvement of militants under command of their leader in Northern Caucasus Doku Umarov in the accident at the Sayan-Shusheno Hydroelectric Power Plant (HPP) and refused to make any comments.

Earlier, one of the websites of Chechen separatists placed a statement, according to which Russian Jama'at "Muvakhiddun ar-Rusi" controlled by Umarov took responsibility for the accident at the HPP.

"We'll make no comments on these idiotic statements," the Reuters quotes its source in the Kremlin.

The version about the terror act at the Sayan-Shusheno HPP was also refuted by Vladimir Markin, official representative of the ICPO.

"Under the investigation of the criminal case, we consider different versions of the accident. However, the version of a terror act is not confirmed. The FSB experts in explosives have not detected any traces of explosives in the place of the accident," the "Interfax" quotes Mr Markin as saying.

Militants assert that back in the beginning of this year their leaders headed by Doku Umarov made a decision to use subversive groups "for holding active economic war against Russia in its territory." The priority targets of such groups should be gas mains and oil pipelines, destruction of power plants and stations and electric power lines, and diversions at factories.

The accident at the Sayan-Shusheno HPP, the hugest power plant in Russia, took place in the morning on August 17. For still unknown reasons, a partial destruction of the HPP's turbine house happened. According to latest information, the count of casualties is 25 persons. Several dozens of workers are still regarded as missing.

Separatists also assert that on the same day, August 17, their suicide bombers blew up a "Gazel" van stuffed with explosive in the yard of the ROVD and GOVD of Nazran. Militants assert that at least 50 persons were killed by the explosion.