Motherland election bloc offers reward for assistance in catching terrorist Basayev

Motherland election bloc has offered a reward for assistance in catching Chechen warlord Shamil Basayev. Sergei Glazyev, a deputy of the Russian State Duma, or the lower house of parliament, and leader of the bloc, said this to reporters Tuesday.

"The fact that the No 1 terrorist is still at large tells negatively on society," said Mr Glazyev. The election bloc has therefore decided to offer an award amounting to 15 million roubles to those who will help law-enforcement agencies catch Basayev.

The sum is fixed on Motherland's bank account and can be paid before January 7, 2004, according to Dmitry Rogozin, a bloc leader.