In a press statement UNPO General Secretary Marino Busdachin expresses his condolences to the relatives of President Mashkadov, to the government and the people of Chechnya, and renews the commitment of UNPO for peace in Chechnya.

The killing of the President of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria, Aslan Mashkadov, by Russian Special Forces, is a dangerous political move. As the only democratically elected president of Chechnya, and as a moderate leader, Mashkadov represented a reliable partner for dialogue between the Chechens and the Russian government.
President Mashkadov had recently declared a ceasefire, as an invitation to the Russian side for a table of negotiations. Moreover, he was the main promoter of the “Peace Plan for a UN Interim Administration in Chechnya”. His murder demonstrates to the world the clear lack of willingness, and indeed, strong opposition on the part of the current Russian administration, to any peaceful conflict resolution.
UNPO will honour the heritage left by President Mashkadov in finding a non-violent solution and seek viable opportunities to achieve freedom in Chechnya and end the Russian military occupation.
UNPO General Secretary Marino Busdachin offers his condolences to the relatives of President Mashkadov, to the government and the people of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria, and renews the commitment and solidarity of UNPO Members worldwide in support of the struggle for self-determination and democracy in Chechnya.