25 paramilitaries lay down arms voluntarily in Chechnya

25 paramilitaries voluntarily laid down their weapons in Chechnya on Thursday, Denis Vyazemtsev, a representative of the Federal Security Service (FSB)'s Chechnya Office, told RIA Novosti.

He said that 11 fighters from a group led by Khamzat Gelayev surrendered in the republic's capital Grozny. They had fought on what the rebels called their "south-western front." "The paramilitaries who laid down arms, mostly residents of the Achkhoi-Martan and Urus-Martan districts, turned in 3 grenade launchers, a large-calibre machine gun and a flame thrower, 2 Kalashnikov rifles, and three grenade launcher rounds," detailed Vyazemtsev.

Furthermore, in the town of Gudermes on Thursday, "14 paramilitaries turned themselves in to the authorities after negotiations with the head of United Russia party's executive committee branch, Ruslan Yamadayev," the FSB spokesman said.

A probe into the background of these individuals is ongoing, added Vyazemtsev.