22:40, 24 November 2003

Chechen rebels refute Abu al-Walid death report

"Information that Abu al-Walid, an Arab field commander, was killed by the Russian military is contrary to fact," claimed a source closely connected with the entourage of Aslan Maskhadov, the leader of the Chechen resistance.

"As to Russian mass media, they constantly claimed Shamil Basayev was dead, as well as Dokku Umarov and other Chechen field commanders. The same is with Abu al-Walid, who was alleged to be "dead" in the spring of this year. At that time he was said to be drawn in the river. At present, I can confirm Abu al-Walid is alive commanding his combat unit located in a base over there in the mountainous districts of the republic," the source asserts.

To remind, Chechnya's military commandant's office alleged the death of Abu al-Walid, who is called a main financier of the Chechen rebels, in the vicinities of the Neftiyanka settlement, the Vedeno district of the republic, on November 17.

Source: Caucasus Times Website