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Time's up for Chechen militant amnesty offer
 A partial amnesty for militants and servicemen not involved in major atrocities during Russias antiterrorist campaign in the North Caucasus expires January 15, RIA Novosti news agency reports. The amnesty was by Russian authorities July 15, 2006, following the killing of the regions most sought after terrorist, Shamil Basayev. First deadline was August 1, but then it was eventually extended until January 15. The law took effect in September 2006. The amnesty is part of the Kremlins offer of fair treatment for militants who agree to lay down their arms proposed by Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, the amnesty does not extend to those guilty of grave crimes, including hostage-taking and terrorist attacks, or foreigners and stateless persons. According to the National Antiterrorism Committee, headed by Nikolai Patrushev, head of Russias Federal Security Service (FSB), 470 militants have accepted the surrender offer since its announcement, mainly in Chechnya, and have returned to normal life. The active phase of the North Caucasus antiterrorist campaign officially ended in 2001, but periodic bombings and clashes between gunmen and federal troops still disrupt Chechnya and nearby regions, including Dagestan, Ingushetia, Kabardino-Balkaria, and Karachayevo-Circassia. Posted by: Seafarious 2007-01-16 |
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