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| Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia |
| Russians admit boomer babe blunder |
| 2004-09-17 |
| Russian security forces were facing further criticism last night after it was revealed that the two female Chechen suicide bombers who destroyed two planes in August with the loss of 90 lives had been detained and released hours beforehand. Officials have already disclosed that the women bribed a ticket tout to squeeze them on to the planes at the last minute, evading security and identity checks. The ticket tout, who has since been arrested, bribed airport officials with £20 (1,000 roubles) to get the two women seats. Vladimir Ustinov, Russia's general prosecutor, said the two "black widows" had arrived on a flight from southern Russia that evening and had, along with two Chechen men, immediately aroused suspicions. "Police officers confiscated their passports and handed them to a police captain responsible for anti-terrorism operations to examine their belongings," Mr Ustinov said. "The captain let them go without any check and they started to try to obtain tickets in the same buildings." Russia's media have already raised the spectre of negligence and the FSB security service has told the public that it believes two other black widows are still on the loose in Moscow. Shamil Basayev, the Chechen warlord allegedly responsible for the Beslan massacre, is said to have trained a brigade of at least 20 black widows but officials admit there could be far more. |
| Posted by:Dan Darling |
| #10 why the currency switch, I haven't a clue It's the exchange rates. Believe me, I know about exchange rates... |
| Posted by: George Soros 2004-09-17 6:47:35 PM |
| #9 that's total operation costs.. It seems that the smaller the cash flow from outside, the harsher the (terrorist) attacks.. Frightening to see . |
| Posted by: Anonymous6525 2004-09-17 5:16:20 PM |
| #8 All right, CN, I admit to being a little slow on the uptake today, but certainly the boomers didn't get that kind of money-you are giving figures for the total cost of the "operation", right? |
| Posted by: jules 187 2004-09-17 3:03:57 PM |
| #7 Yeah, they're frugal little bastards alright. According to Basayev himself (from Mosnews, quoting Kavkazcenter), his total recent "expenditures" were as follows: Two boomers in Moscow (late Aug.) -- 7000 dollars Two plane boomettes (Aug. 24) -- 4000 dollars Beslan (early Sept.) -- 8000 Euros (why the currency switch, I haven't a clue). |
| Posted by: The Caucasus Nerd 2004-09-17 2:57:09 PM |
| #6 In 1993, that was about the equivalent of a month's salary for the lower end of the economic bracket in some parts of the old Soviet Union. I don't know how that compares to today's equivalent. Corruption is king over there. |
| Posted by: jules 187 2004-09-17 2:16:44 PM |
| #5 $34 and *what* non monetary transaction(s)? |
| Posted by: Brutus 2004-09-17 2:06:08 PM |
| #4 Dang, Dan Darling. A lot of alliteration for anxious anchors. |
| Posted by: Crikey 2004-09-17 12:06:18 PM |
| #3 Maybe the people who took bribes should be charged with abetting terrorism, and make it a crime punishable by death. Then a lot of people would think twice about who they are taking bribes from. |
| Posted by: V is for Victory 2004-09-17 8:18:24 AM |
| #2 Well, since Judas sold out Jesus for 30 pieces of silver, the human capacity for betrayal is limitless. |
| Posted by: matinum 2004-09-17 4:32:22 AM |
| #1 The Russians, even in their nasty version of a police state, still can't keep the violent types out. I suppose the corruption factor plays big in this. But still, USD$34. WTF??? Who the f*ck takes a bribe of 34 dollars. I mean, you should be able to get more than that. |
| Posted by: beer_me 2004-09-17 12:58:05 AM |