Two suspected rebels detained in Chechnya
CHECHNYA, 17 November, Caucasus Times: An unidentified person, said to be Arab militant Khattab’s communications agent, was detained in the Avtury village of Shalinskiy District, the website said quoting the Russian army headquarters in Chechnya.
The detainee is suspected of leading a 15-strong rebel group in 2001-2003. He was later responsible for communication with rebels in Argun, Groznyy and Gudermes and supplied them with food and medicines, the report said.
The second detainee, Groznyy resident Salman Bitsiyev, was arrested in Gudermes. He is suspected of the murder of Russian soldiers and intrusion into Dagestan in September 1999.