Two rebel units have surrendered the banners under which they fought in Abkhazia and Chechnya. Two rebels surrendered to the Chechen Department of the Federal Security Service with their banners on Thursday, the regional headquarters for the anti-terrorist campaign in the North Caucasus told Interfax. One of the banners belonged to the so-called Abkhaz battalion of Shamil Basayev, who took part in the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict. The other banner belonged to the so-called Central Front of the Armed Forces of Ichkeria. Both banners are real and actually belonged to Shamil Basayev, the headquarters said. The rebels used to be members of Shamil Basayev’s units and committed numerous crimes. They are currently under investigation.
| "Ooch! Ouch! Hey! Stop that!" |
The rebels may be exempt from prosecution because of their sincere repentance and the valuable information they gave police. But they will be released only if it becomes clear that they did not kill any servicemen, officials or civilians and did not take hostages, the source said.
| "That's okay! Just don't use the pliers!" |
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