Chechen separatist leader Abu Arsanukayev submits amnesty application

Abu Arsanukayev, the former security chief of first Chechen president Dzhokhar Dudayev /during his presidency Russia launched the first anti-separatist campaign/, submitted an amnesty application on Wednesday.

According to the press service of the Chechen government, Arsanukayev submitted the application to Akhmad Kadyrov, the head of the Chechen administration, who subsequently ordered relevant authorities to start the rehabilitation procedure.

In his application, Arsanukayev states that he has "committed no crimes and is not involved in terrorist activities of Chechen illegal armed formations." Press service officials emphasised that "if Arsanukayev has not been involved in bloody crimes, he can start a peaceful life." "If he is, his case will be investigated by the Prosecutor's office," the press secretary of the Chechen government has been quoted as saying.

In 1999, another Chechen separatist leader Maskhadov /the last Chechen president/ appointed Arsanukayev the Deputy Prosecutor General of Ichkeria /Chechnya/.

During Dudayev's reign, Arsanukayev was generally considered the most influential and close advisor to the former president.

Local observers believe that the amnesty application submitted by such a prominent figure cannot but be felt by the society.

Arsanukayev fought against federal forces during the first Chechen campaign. When the present anti-terrorist operation in the North Caucasus began, the former presidential security chief left the borders of Chechnya.