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| Caucasus |
| Production manual for toxic ricin found in Chechnya |
| 2003-01-13 |
| A special task force has destroyed a group of rebels led by Aslan Maskhadov in the Gudermes region of Chechnya, Russian presidential aide Sergei Yastrzhembsky told Interfax on Monday. A manual for the production of ricin, a highly toxic substance, was found on one of them, he said. The special services of countries that are cooperating with Russia in the international anti-terror coalition and in non-proliferation efforts have been informed of this discovery, Yastrzhembsky said. A group of suspected terrorists was previously arrested in Great Britain. According to foreign media reports, the men are believed to have undergone training in Afghanistan, in the Pankisi Gorge, and in Chechnya. The usual tourist spots for Islamic holy men. Ricin is a highly toxic substance that comes from castor beans, which are used to make castor oil. Analysts say that ricin cannot be used as a weapon of mass destruction and is most effective on individuals. Nevertheless, memos listing the symptoms of ricin poisoning have been sent to all London hospitals. The extremists are believed to have planned an attack on Russian facilities in Paris, including its embassy, foreign media reports state Using ricin for assassination attempts on Russians, now wouldn't that be ironic. |
| Posted by:Steve |