CHECHNYA: RUSSIAN FORCES SEARCH FOR CHECHEN FIGHTERS

(25 Feb 2000) Russian/Nat

Throughout Chechnya, Russian soldiers have been searching captured villages and towns for Chechen fighters.

The exact number of arrests is unknown - but Russian military sources in Chechnya who wished to remain anonymous - talk of hundreds of suspected rebels held in detention.

Their families have had no word on their whereabouts.

Russian forces in Chechnya continue their operations aimed at detaining men in the breakaway republic.

They say these men have fought against federal troops.

In the western Chechen town of Urus-Martan, in the offices of Russian military commandant of the area, several men are being held on suspicion of fighting against Russian forces.

Russian investigators say these people were detained while in possession of firearms.

Some of the prisoners appear to be ethnic Russians but the majority are ethnic Chechens.

Prisoners are interrogated regularly.

SOUNDBITE: (Russian)
"Interrogator: What was your task?
Yuri. (first name only)
Detainee: I wanted to rest for a week or two, then I was meant to go back. Later we planned to free Urus-Martan. Interrogator: Who from?
Yuri: They told me we will free Urus-Martan from the "kafirs." (infidels)
SUPER CAPTION: Yuri, Detainee

Shirvani, another detainee denies he ever fought Russian forces.

SOUNDBITE: (Russian)
"I wanted to surrender, but I was arrested. I really wanted to give myself up when I came to Urus-Martan . Interrogator: You fought against the federal troops?
Detainee: No, I never took part in actual combat, we were in reserve."
SUPER CAPTION: Shirvani, Detainee

But Russian officers disbelieve many of the detainee's statements.

SOUNDBITE: (Russian)
"He says he never fought against our troops. But all those Kalashnikovs that were found on his premises tell the story - every one of those rifles were used in combat, our experts concluded. And what he says now and the fact that he shaved his beard and wanted to surrender - it's blatant lies. I reality they wanted to get some rest and later attack Urus-Martan."
SUPER CAPTION: Russian officer, anonymous

Russian authorities on Friday reopened border crossings between Chechnya and the neighboring region of Ingushetia, providing some relief for refugees trying to escape the breakaway region.

But restrictions on the movement of people inside Chechnya appeared to remain in effect.

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