Yamadaev's utterances about militia provoke Chechen MIA's indignation

The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) of Chechnya is revolted with the statements about the Chechen militia, made yesterday, on April 18, by Sulim Yamadaev, commander of the "Vostok" (East) battalion.

"Today, Sulim Yamadaev said on air of one of radio stations that 75% of the servicemen of the Chechen MIA are amnestied shaitans (devils) allegedly ready any moment to go over to the militants," runs the statement of Ruslan Alkhanov, Chechnya's Minister of Internal Affairs. "The MIA's personnel are deeply revolted with this sort of statements."

"Since the start of the counterterrorist operation, over one thousand of workers of the Ministry of Internal Affairs on the Chechen Republic sacrificed their lives in the struggle against terror and criminality, for the integrity of Russia," the head of the Republic's MIA has noted. "About 600 militiamen were decorated with state awards - the Orders of Courage, Medals 'For Courage' and others. Over 150 persons were awarded posthumously."

On April 18, Sulim Yamadaev, commander of the "Vostok" battalion of the Russian Ministry of Defence of Russia also stated that Chechen leaders are hiding the truth about the events in the Republic, in particular, about murders. "Almost every day people are killed in Chechnya. Ramzan (Kadyrov) is just saying lies on TV," Sulim Yamadaev has stated on air of the "Echo Moskvy" Radio Station.

Sulim Yamadaev has emphasized also that "now all the Chechen mass media are scared by Kadyrov," having added that "here everything is in Ramzan's hands." In his opinion, journalists in Chechnya should be given more freedom.