20 September 2004, 19:20
Chechen rebels 'do not undergo treatment in Azerbaijan'
More and more accusatory statements against official Baku appear after the de facto closure of the Russian-Azerbaijan border. Yesterday, September 17, Major-General Ilya Shabalkin, the spokesman for the regional headquarters on the counter-terrorist operation in the North Caucasus, announced that an Arab mercenary detained by FSB (Federal Security Service) officers in the North Caucasus had been moving from Russia to Azerbaijan to undergo treatment for a wound.
Chechen rebels do not undergo treatment on the territory of the country, the Caucasian Knot correspondent was told in the Azerbaijan Health Ministry. "Russia's statements are not furnished with proof. Our hospitals and patient care institutions are open. We will eagerly give Russian special services an opportunity to make sure their statements are wrong," the source said.
Human rights activist Novella Dzhafaroglu pointed out the Kremlin was trying to justify toughening the border regime with Azerbaijan by such statements. "The Kremlin starts accusing neighbors after each terror attack," Ms Dzhafaroglu resumed.
Author: Zaur Rasulzade, CK correspondent Source: Caucasian Knot
