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Investigators identify three suspects in 2000 attack on military servicemen in Chechnya

According to the Investigative Committee, as a result of the attack, members of illegal armed groups deliberately caused the death of 33 law enforcement officers

MOSCOW, February 18. /TASS/. The Main Investigation Directorate of Russia’s Investigative Committee in the North Caucasian Federal District has identified three individuals suspected of the involvement in the attack on military servicemen in Chechnya in 2000, a criminal case has been opened, the Investigative Committee has said.

"…the investigation of the criminal case opened in 2000 after the armed attack on officers of the Perm Region Main Internal Affairs Directorate and military servicemen by members of illegal armed groups led by Shamil Basayev and Emir Khattab continues. During the investigation, evidence of three individuals’ involvement in the commission of that crime has been obtained. A criminal case has been opened against them and against unidentified individuals under Section 317 of Russia’s Criminal Code (encroachment on the life of a law enforcement officer)," the report said.

The investigation established that "these individuals and other members of various illegal armed groups, at least 200 people in total, encroached on the life of officers of the Perm Region Main Internal Affairs Directorate and military servicemen of the commandant’s office of the security zone of Chechnya’s Vedensky District" on March 29, 2000.

According to the Investigative Committee, as a result of the attack, members of illegal armed groups who were part of a crime syndicate deliberately caused the death of 33 law enforcement officers. Another 10 officers of the Perm Region Main Internal Affairs Directorate were taken prisoner and subsequently killed. Health and moral damage was inflicted on 102 employees of the Perm Region Main Internal Affairs Directorate and military servicemen as a result of the shootout.

"Investigative and other activities involving the suspects aimed at establishing their role in the crime are currently underway. These individuals were earlier convicted of criminal offences," the Investigative Committee said.