Zakaev and Baraev get back to Chechnya

Bukhari Baraev, plenipotentiary of Dokku Umarov, President of self-proclaimed Chechen Republic of Ichkeria, has announced his return to Chechnya and abdication of the powers of separatists' special envoy. Ahmed Zakaev, head of the government of Ichkeria, has also states his comeback to the homeland and his intention "to promote long-standing peace in the region."

The "Caucasian Knot" reported earlier that on February 5 President of Chechnya Ramzan Kadyrov called former members of illegal armed formations, who live in Europe, to come back home.

The Chechen press service has reported that today Bukhari Baraev, Dokku Umarov's representative, has promulgated his statement, in which he treats his support of Chechen separatists as a mistake and announces his wish to get back home.

"I admit that for a whole year, being convinced that my way was correct, I was Dokku Umarov's special representative in Europe engaged in defending his interests abroad. In doing so… I kept tracing by global information news tapes the wide-scaled and positive changes taking place in my homeland. For this reason I made a conclusion that earlier I was deeply mistaken, as my mind was darkened by fanatical ideas," runs Mr Baraev's statement.

"In this context I see no sense now to oppose the legitimate power existing in the Chechen Republic. Ramzan Kadyrov and the Chechen authorities are doing everything in their power for revival of this Republic," Bukhari Baraev has noted.

Addressing separatists' representatives, Umarov's special representative in Europe has called them "to come to their senses and make the only correct and reasonable decision: to lay arms down and stop their senseless and criminal actions."

"Most likely, the so-called 'Shariat Court' of Dokku Umarov will sentence me to death, but I'm not afraid of it," Baraev has added.

Bukhari Baraev is a brother of field commander Arbi Baraev, killed during a special operation in 2001, and father of Movsar Baraev, known for the capture of hostages in Dubrovka Theatrical Centre in Moscow in 2002.

Besides, Ahmed Zakaev, emissary of Chechen separatists, told about his forthcoming return home in his interview to "Echo Moskvy" Radio.

It has also become known that Ahmed Zakaev can be amnestied. The RIA "Novosti" reports that this opportunity was stated by Anatoly Safonov, special representative of Russian President for international cooperation in counteracting terrorism and trans-national crime, at today's press conference.

"Zakaev's way to amnesty is not blocked. If he comes to Russia and proves the innocence in court, he may take advantage of the opportunities granted by the President (of Chechnya) Kadyrov," said Mr Safonov.

According to his version, Zakaev stated that he had separated from terrorists.