23:04, 19 December 2006

Ulman's case: Plotnikov confirms he did not order to kill peaceful residents

Vladimir Plotnikov, former commander of the special operation - now witness in Ulman's case, - has stated that had not ordered to kill residents of Chechnya.

Today, the North-Caucasian Regional Military Court has continued the process on Ulman's case.

Vladimir Plotnikov has stated that, although he was in command of the operation, he did not command the actions of the special-purpose groups ("spetsnaz"). Answering the questions of Roman Krzhechkovskiy, Ulman's advocate, colonel Plotnikov has confirmed that he was commander for the whole contingent engaged in the special mission. Plotnikov told that after landing onto the Dalai-Lam mount, he met operations officer Alexei Perelevskiy and told him that the task of the mission was to organize passport check with the aim to detect members of illegal armed formations. Mr. Plotnikov has also declared that he had delivered this information to Perelevskiy same as he could have said it to any other officer. In the course of interrogation, Plotnikov has reported that he did not give the order to blow up the UAZ car and liquidate its passengers.