Body of Gelayev is still in Rostov

The body of the notorious Chechen commander Khamzat (Ruslan) Gelayev has not been given to his relatives so far. They have made three unsuccessful attempts to take his body from the morgue of a hospital in Rostov.

"We went to Rostov to take the body of Khamzat three times - each time after we had been notified we could come and take him to Chechnya for burial. But each time somebody or something prevented us from it at the very last moment," said Gelayev's close relative to the Caucasian Knot correspondent.

"They took my blood for analysis when I was there last time. I think the military and special services are still in some doubt whether the dead man is Khamzat. I cannot see any other reasons for such actions," he said.

According to available information, the head of Chechnya, Akhmad Kadyrov, also turned to appropriate bodies asking to give the body of the field commander to his relatives. He was promised the problem would be settled in the near future.

Khamzat Gelayev, one of the most powerful Chechen commanders, was killed in late February in the mountains of Dagestan.

Editors note: See also the article "Ruslan Gelayev's relatives cannot take his body for burial".