19 May 2005, 14:02
Double killing in Chechnya
The bodies of a 27-year-old contract serviceman from the Vostok ("East") Battalion of the Russian Defence Ministry and a 22-year-old unemployed local resident were found at a bus stop in Belgatoi, Shali district, at about 2.00 am on 18 May. The bodies had marks of gunshot wounds. This is what a source with Chechnya's Internal Affairs Ministry told Regnum news agency.
An investigation established the serviceman was resident in Gudermes and the second killed man in Argun. A criminal case was opened with regard to the event.
The Vostok Battalion is a unit within the Main Intelligence Department of the Russian General Staff. It consists of ethnic Chechens commanded by Sulim Yamadayev. They are therefore known as the Yamadayevtsy.
Author: Sultan Abubakarov, CK correspondent