Chechen Security Minister Released by Moscow
July 18, 1999 - 0:0
MOSCOW The security minister of the separatist republic of Chechnya was freed Saturday, one day after his arrest by Moscow police, ITAR-TASS reported. Turpal-Ali Atgeriyev was freed at 2:00 p.m (1000 GMT), the agency said. His arrest threatened to further damage relations between Moscow and the breakaway republic after Chechnya claimed the move was a provocation aimed at undermining a key summit between the two sides.
Russian Prime Minister Sergei Stepashin, who earlier Saturday said Atgeriyev's release was imminent, refused to answer questions about the reasons for the arrest, saying they were a "state secret", ITAR-TASS said. A Russian interior ministry source said Atgeriyev was being freed after "supplying information which can be used by the ministry," the agency said. On Friday, prosecutors said Atgeriyev was arrested for his role in a January 1996 attack by Chechen gunmen on the southern Russian town of Kizlyar in which at least 20 Russians and 13 Chechens were killed.
(AFP)
Russian Prime Minister Sergei Stepashin, who earlier Saturday said Atgeriyev's release was imminent, refused to answer questions about the reasons for the arrest, saying they were a "state secret", ITAR-TASS said. A Russian interior ministry source said Atgeriyev was being freed after "supplying information which can be used by the ministry," the agency said. On Friday, prosecutors said Atgeriyev was arrested for his role in a January 1996 attack by Chechen gunmen on the southern Russian town of Kizlyar in which at least 20 Russians and 13 Chechens were killed.
(AFP)