21:02, 23 June 2004

Former deputy premier of Chechen government to run for president

The former deputy prime minister of the Chechen government responsible for relations with security agencies, Movsar Khamidov, was registered as a candidate for the post of President of Chechnya on June 23. He officially notified the Chechen Central Election Commission of his intention to take part in the forthcoming presidential election in Chechnya, a source in the election commission told the Caucasian Knot correspondent.

Movsar Khamidov is 47. He was born in the Vedeno district in Chechnya. He graduated from the Chechen-Ingush University in Grozny and the KGB (State Security Committee) Higher School, holds the rank of FSB (Federal Security Service) colonel. He was appointed deputy prime minister of the Chechen government in 2002. He has lived in Moscow recently. He is married and has 6 children.

Colonel Khamidov became the 13th officially registered candidate for the post of the president. Chechen Interior Minister Major-General Alu Alkhanov, who is expected to be the favorite in the presidential race, has not been registered as a presidential candidate so far, the source explained.

Author: Sultan Abubakarov, CK correspondent

Source: Caucasian Knot