So-called "state security minister of Ichkeria" Turpal Ali Atgeriyev dies in prison

So-called "state security minister of Ichkeria" Turpal-Ali Atgeriyev has died in the prison where he was serving his sentence.

Atgeriyev's death was reported by his relatives. On Thursday morning they came to the Chechen republican administration asking for assistance in bringing his body to Chechnya in order to bury him in his native village.

Atgeriyev was sentenced to 15 years in imprison for participating in the attack on the Dagestani town of Kizlyar in January 1996. The case was heard in the Dagestan Supreme Court. Atgeriyev was found guilty of terrorism, setting up illegal armed groups, kidnapping, taking hostages and plunder.

He was tried together with the Chechen terrorist Salman Raduyev, who was sentenced to life imprisonment.