17:00, 21 July 2005

71 rebels killed in Chechnya in 2005

Since the beginning of 2005, 71 active members of illegal armed groups have been killed in Chechnya, 10 fields commanders being among them, Chechen Interior Minister Ruslan Alkhanov has announced at the ministry's session devoted to the results of the ministry's work during the first six months of the year.

Mr Alkhanov noted 140 rebels, including 6 field commanders, were arrested in the republic in the first six months of 2005, says RIA Novosti.

According to the minister, "the crime level has a tendency to decrease."

Head of the Chechen government Sergey Abramov believes "the terror attack committed (in Znamenskoye on 19 July - editor's note) against policemen is connected with the interior ministry's successful work."

Mr Abramov said 59 police officers, not including those killed in the terror attack in Znamenskoye, were killed in Chechnya in the first six months of 2005.