Chechen Prosecutor Promises To Look Into Federal Operation In Tsotsin Yurt

Chechen Prosecutor Vsevolod Chernov assured a thorough investigation into the circumstances of a secret operation in Tsotsin Yurt would be made. Chernov met with a group of Tsotsin Yurt residents who picketed Tuesday the House of Government in Grozny. They claim that during a special operation conducted in Tsotsin Yurt from December 30 to January 3, thirty persons were detained, seven of them missing. The Chechen Prosecutor said in case the information was confirmed relative measures would be taken. Russian Presidential Aide Sergei Yastrzhembsky reported earlier that separatists had been lured out from Argun into Starye Atagi and Tsotsin Yurt earlier taken under control by federal troops. As a result of the secret operation, the federal forces eliminated 92 militants. The servicemen lost 5 men, 24 were wounded. According to the Aide, the last stage of the operation in Argun was conducted with the participation of the local population and representatives of the military prosecutor's office in order to avoid violation of civilians' civil rights.