BREAKING: Chechen Rebel Leader Aslan Maskhadov killed by Russian troops.

[da_chimperor]

Saw it on CNN international (TV).

Interfax saying Maskhadov was killed in a 'special operation'. I'm looking for a better link, but I think it's going to be a while.

Better link thanks to pnutchuck: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4330039.stm



"Chechen leader Maskhadov 'killed'

Aslan Maskhadov has kept up the rebel resistance
Russian forces say they have killed Chechen rebel leader Aslan Maskhadov.

There is no independent confirmation of the death, which reportedly came during a Russian special forces operation inside the breakaway Russian republic.

Mr Maskhadov was elected Chechen president in January 1997 but was ousted two years later when Russia sent troops to quell an independence drive.

There are no reliable figures on how many people have been killed in Chechnya's 10-year war of independence.

"I confirm that Maskhadov was killed in the village of Tolstoi-Yurt," Gen Ilya Shabalkin, spokesman for the Russian troop headquarters in the region, was quoted by several Russian news agencies as saying on Tuesday. "

[pnutchuck]

1. also looking for a link, but heard it on CNNI too.

The world is crumbling around us and Shit head, can't take his eye off the oil booties!

[da_chimperor]

2. Link found. Kick. n/t

[pnutchuck]

3. More here...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4330039.stm

[da_chimperor]

4. Thanks! n/t

[Vladimir]

5. Fuck

A recent interview with him:

http://www.chechnya-mfa.info/print_press.php?func=detail&par=12310

he has always denied involvement in Beslan - Russia may regret killing him if it results in Basayev taking command... he has shown far less scrupules in picking targets than his old commander.

I hope that this report is bullshit.

[da_chimperor]

8. We'll see about that. I was hoping they got Basayev. Too bad they didn't.

That bastard needs to pay for Beslan. From what I've read Maskhadov wanted to negotiate an end to the conflict.

[Vladimir]

10. A lot of people there need to pay

starting with Putin, the butcher in chief (we should not forget that however horrific Beslan was, Russian forces do much the same to Chechens all the time. It just doesn't get reported). But they should be brought to trial, and not just assasinated willy-nilly - it does little good for either side. Basayev (if guilty) needs to be condemned, not turned into another martyr...

[Wright Patman]

6. Can we subcontract the Russians to do a hit

on Osama?

Oh, I forgot. He still works for the CIA (Al-CIAda branch). Never mind.

[merh]

7. I thought Putin believed that we put them up to the school siege.

Was this guy a friend of ours? Thanks for the information. I will be monitoring this for sure.

[On the Road]

9. Now We'll See if He Lives Up to the

Aslan of C.S. Lewis fame. If so, he'll come back to life. :smoke:

[Vladimir]

11. Al-Jazeera confirms reports, it seems like this is for real

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/39AF1E65-4A83-4AAA-9211-DC6568A9C996.htm

The Chechen deputy prime minister has confirmed to Aljazeera that separatist leader Aslan Maskhadov has been killed by Russian troops.

Russian media had earlier reported on Tuesday that ousted Chechen President Maskhadov had been killed by troops in Chechnya.

Interfax news agency quoted army spokesman Ilya Shabalkin as saying Maskhadov had been killed by Russian troops.

Russian television stations aired pictures of a bearded corpse they said were of Maskhadov.

[pnutchuck]

12. At least Putin has balls enough to admit he did it...

Bush just cries terrorism.

[Moderator]

13. kick to combine

[DoYouEverWonder]

14. Chechen leader Maskhadov killed

8 March, 2005

Russian forces say Chechen rebel leader Aslan Maskhadov has been killed.

Russian television showed pictures of a body resembling that of Mr Maskhadov, 53, in a pool of blood in Chechnya.

President Vladimir Putin has asked for further identification. However, Mr Maskhadov's envoy in London, Akhmed Zakayev, later confirmed the death.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4330039.stm