18 August 2003, 14:29
Punitive "special operation" in Samashki village
In the morning of August 15 Russian soldiers blocked several streets in the village of Samashki in the Achkhoy-Martan region to hold the next "cleanups". To all appearance, they were caused by a firing on the commandant's office that occurred on the night of August 15. The military assert they were attacked by Chechen separatists. However, residents of Samashki believe here took place a skirmish between two groups of Russian soldiers as a large column of soldiers entered the settlement on the day of August 14. No information on the detained and missing local residents during this punitive "special operation" has been received yet.
Source: Infromation Center of the Council of NGOs