In Chechnya, local resident, suspected of involvement in group of kidnappers, detained

On October 23, a local resident suspected of involvement in illegal armed formations, was detained by Chechen policemen in the Grozny District of Chechnya. This was reported by the Chechen Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA).

"During the implementation of operational information in the village of Alkhan-Kala of the Grozny District, law enforcers have detained a 31-year-old man in his house. He is suspected of involvement in the criminal grouping led by field commander Arbi Baraev. During the period between the two military campaigns, members of the above criminal grouping were engaged in kidnappings," the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was told by a source from the Chechen law enforcement bodies.

According to the source, during the preliminary interrogation, the detainee has confessed that he was a member of the Arbi Baraev's grouping from 1996 till the autumn of 2000. However, he claims he was not involved in combat operations against federal forces and kidnappings. The corresponding investigation with respect to the detainee is underway.

It should be noted that kidnappings for ransom were common between the two military campaigns in Chechnya. In that period, field commander Arbi Baraev, born in 1973, was one of the most famous kidnappers in the republic. He was killed in the summer of 2001 in his native village of Alkhan-Kala during the special operation conducted by the federal forces.