Police near the body of Chechen militant leader Musa Mutiyev today in Grozny (ITAR-TASS)
September 9, 2007 -- Pro-Russian forces in Chechnya say they have killed a rebel commander close to Chechen separatist leader Doku Umarov.
Chechen Interior Minister General Ruslan Alkhanov said Musa Mutiyev, known as "the emir of Grozny," was killed on September 8 in a special operation in Grozny.
The minister said Mutiyev was wanted by authorities for his involvement in a series of murders and other serious crimes.
The minister added that Mutiyev was close to Umarov and had also collaborated with slain militant Rustam Basayev.
(ITAR-TASS, Interfax, AFP)
RFE/RL Caucasus Report
RFE/RL Caucasus Report
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