Chechen warlords are trying to get to Western countries via Georgia, official spokesman for the regional counter-terrorist HQ in the North Caucasus, Major-General Ilya Shabalkin told RIA Novosti. "Georgian officials have provided refugees from the Pankisi Gorge with the opportunity of moving to any European countries. According to the returning refugees and some other sources, including detained bandits, warlords are trying to make the most of this circumstance," said Gen. Shabalkin. "To this end, middling warlords try to get to Georgia via Chechnya disguised as refugees. This is the category of bandits who could have accumulated substantial funds by cheating other ordinary members of the illegal armed formations," said Gen. Shabalkin. | Pilfered the widows and orphens explosives fund, took the petty cash and split. |
He emphasized that the accumulated sums of money thereby would let militants settle down abroad and lead a wealthy life. | Following in the great tradition of dictators everywhere, they'll head to France. |
"They find it quite dangerous to stay and hide in Chechnya. Thereby, they are trying to escape fair retribution and Russian justice," stressed Gen. Shabalkin. He did not rule it out that many of these bandits would form organized illegal communities and gangs in the countries where they intend to move. "According to the returned refugees, Shamil Basayev [a Chechen separatist warlord] has turned to leaders of international radical extremist groups based in Arab countries, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Turkey and some others. He allegedly assured them of his readiness to continue bandit activities in Chechnya and to organize terrorist attacks all across Russia," said Gen. Shabalkin. In his words, Basayev has asked international terrorist organizations to provide additional funds and also to send new groups of foreign mercenaries to Chechnya who would be ready to fight for the so-called Caliphate in the North Caucasus| ."Send warriors, guns and money..." |
"According to many citizens returning from Pankisi, Basayev's address indicates that bandits in Chechnya are suffering substantial losses not only in terms of money and ordinary militants, but in terms of warlords of the lower and middle rank," said Gen. Shabalkin. He also noted that this was due to the effective efforts of the federal forces and local law-enforcers relying on the support of the local population. Gen. Shabalkin told RIA Novosti that about 300 Chechen refugees had recently returned home from Pankisi, Georgia. In his words, the Russian consulate in Georgia provides all-out assistance in preparing the documents required for their return to Russia. |