Reinforced units of power agents brought to central Grozny on anniversary of Chechen Constitution

The celebration of the anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of the Chechen Republic in 2003 are held in Grozny under increased security measures; reinforced units of militaries and police are deployed in the city centre.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the referendum on the Constitution and laws on electing the Chechen president and parliament was held in the Republic of March 23, 2003. Then, according to the republic's Central Election Commission (CEC), the voter turnout was over 88%; and 96% supported the Constitution. NGO activists then stated that no demonstration of free will of citizens could ever be in those days.

This morning, state officials visited the grave of the first Chechen President Akhmat Kadyrov, said a source from the office of the head of the republic and the government. He said that the Adoption of the Constitution put an end to the war in Chechnya, opened "the way to establishment of peaceful life," and allowed "kicking the ground off the feet of separatists."

In the evening, the building of the Republic's Theatre and Concert Hall will house a solemn meeting dedicated to the anniversary of the Constitution.

At the time of adoption of the Constitution, the situation in Chechnya was very heavy, said the locals questioned by the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent. Among them, there are those, who consider questionable to hold referendum during active hostilities.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.