The State Defense Committee of the ChRI about the events of 23-26 October in Moscow


The editorial staff of GIA Chechenpress has received the text of resolution no. 816 by the State Defense Committee - Majlisul Shura of the ChRI, passed on 5 November 2002.

It reads:

On 23-26 October, an armed group took hostages in Moscow. A special operation, carried out by Russian power structures to save the hostages, resulted in numerous victims.

The official authorities of the Russian Federation declared - without observing elementary legal standards - that the top leadership of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria had participated in this crime.

The SDC-MS categorically denies its participation in this crime and considers inacceptable any form of violation of the life and natural rights of civilians in order to achieve military-political goals.

In connection with the tragic event of the hostage-taking in Moscow, the SDC-MS

Decrees

1. To condemn the actions connected with the hostage-taking in Moscow, independently of their purposes and the composition of participants;

2. with regard to the statement by the leader of the Military Committee of the SDC-MS, Sh. Basayev, about his participation in the events of 23-26 October in Moscow, to charge the General Procuratorship and the Supreme Shariat Court with conducting an investigation and with the subsequent decision in accordance with the legislation of the ChRI;

3. to the President of the ChRI, Chairman of the SDC-MS, A. Maskhadov, to decide to remove Sh. Basayev from all his posts, until a decision is made by the Supreme Shariat Court of the ChRI.

4. The decree comes into legal force on the day of signature.

The President of the ChRI,
Chairman of the SDC-MS Army General A. Maskhadov