History of Chechnya

Second Chechen War (1999-2002) and its consequences

Main article: Second Chechen War

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Renegade separatist Chechen army commanders allegedly financed by Osama bin Laden led a band of soldiers into Dagestan in August, 1999. Headed by Shamil Basayev and Amir Khattab, the insurgents fought Russian forces in Dagestan for a week before being driven back into Chechnya proper. On September 9, 1999, Chechens were blamed for the bombing of an apartment complex in Moscow and several other explosions in Russia (see:Russian Apartment Bombings). Many of these explosions were carried out using hexogen, or RDX, which is an explosive often used by guerilla groups. Its low volatility allows for ease of transport while its tremendous explosive power means that a small amount can do enormous damage.

Related Topics:
Osama bin Laden - Dagestan - August - 1999 - Shamil Basayev - Amir Khattab - September 9 - Bomb - Moscow - Russian Apartment Bombings

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Russia's new prime minister Vladimir Putin, ordered forces back into Chechen territory on pretexts of Dagestan raid and the bombings. Currently, most of Chechnya is controlled by the federal military and republican police. In 2002, federals installed a government of pro-federal Chechens into local government offices. In 2003, referendum on constitution and presidential election were held and a government formed. Chechens who work in government jobs are very often assassinated by the Chechen separatist forces.

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Many Chechen separatists have retreated into Kerigo Gorge in Georgia. Russia accuses the Georgian government of willingly harboring militants and demands that the Georgian government take action against the separatists - and Georgia refused this. Several separatists have been detained by Georgian authorities, but Russia claims that these are empty gestures, and has repeatedly warned Georgia that if real measures are not taken soon to control the Chechen separatists, it will invade and control them itself.

Related Topics:
Kerigo Gorge - Georgia

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Vladimir Putin announced that the Chechen war had ended in early 2002, but separatist forces still control a large portion of the mountainous southern regions of the country and regularly skirmish with federal troops and pro-federal Chechens. However, in according with the announcement, the federal army releases power to the republican police.

Related Topics:
Vladimir Putin - 2002

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Amir Khattab, the prominent leader of Islamist forces, was poisoned in Chechnya in March 2002. He was replaced by Amir Abu al-Walid.

Related Topics:
Amir Khattab - Islamist - March - 2002 - Amir Abu al-Walid

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The war budget for Chechnya is a tremendous source of personal revenue for various officials, both federal and regional, who skim money designated for equipment and soldiers', teachers', medics, etc. salaries (during both wars, money was being transferred in belief that they would reach civilian population), and most of the separatist soldiers' weapons are Russian made; a major part was left by the federal army in the early 1990s and a significant part supposedly has been illegally purchased from federal soldiers. For their part, the separatists control a lucrative illegal drug and oil smuggling trade, and routinely kidnap foreign aid workers and others for ransom. The Russian government claims that there is also strong evidence that local terrorist activity is supported with money and arms from Islamic militant groups such as Al-Qaeda.

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Both the federal and separatist armies have been widely criticized by human rights groups such as Amnesty International for alleged war crimes committed during the two Chechen wars, including well-documented accusations on both sides of rape, torture, looting, and the murder of civilians.

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Colonel Yuri Budanov has reportedly been the first Russian to be tried on charges of war crimes committed in Chechnya. He was brought to trial in late 2002 on charges of murder and abduction, after being accused of raping and strangling Heda Kungayeva, an 18 year old Chechen girl whom Budanov claimed was a separatist sniper. In a controversial decision, he was found not guilty by reason of insanity on December 31, 2002 and committed to a psychiatric hospital for further evaluation and treatment. The sentence was appealed. The higher court decided that he was sane, and so was found guilty and sentenced to 10 years prison term.

Related Topics:
Yuri Budanov - War crime - 2002 - Murder - Abduction - Sniper - December 31 - Psychiatric

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