15:26, 3 March 2004

Chechen group "Gazoton Murdash" claims responsibility for blast in Moscow metro

Kavkaz Center's editors received an e-mail from an anonymous address from an unknown earlier group called "Gazoton Murdash." The group's leader, who identified himself as Lom-Ali of Chechnya, made a statement in which he pointed out his militarized organization claimed responsibility for the blast in the Moscow metro that happened on February 6.

Kavkaz Center's editors received that statement for the first time on February 8. But the editorial staff made a decision not to publish it. Several days later the statement was received again twice. Late at night on February 29, a man, who identified himself as Lom-Ali of Chechnya, called Kavkaz Center's editors over the satellite phone and said that he was calling from Chechnya and that his people were the ones who had sent the statement to the agency.

If this statement proves to be true, and if a new previously unknown group stands behind the act on the Moscow metro, then the war between Russia and Chechnya has entered a qualitatively new phase when absolutely autonomous groups bent on revenge appear on the scene.

Editors note: See also the article "Separatists deny their involvement in terrorist act in Moscow", "Moscow metro blast may have been arranged by Abu al-Walid".

Source: Kavkaz Center Website