Some Russian energy workers return from Iraq

Russian experts of the Interenergoservis company who have decided to leave Iraq are expected to return to Moscow later in the day. The Tu-154 aircraft will take off in Iraq at 1 pm Moscow time, the air traffic controllers of the Airlines-400 carrying out Moscow-Baghdad-Moscow charter flights reported on Tuesday.

According to the source, Interenergoservis specialists Alexander Gordiyenko and Andrei Meshcheryakov who were set free yesterday are bound to take the VAZ-9616 flight.

On Monday, Russians did not leave for Moscow due to late registration and engine malfunction.

According to Interenergoservis, apart from Gordiyenko and Meshcheryakov 111 staff members of the company (out of the total 340), who have decided to leave Iraq, will be onboard the plane.

"There will be mostly those who have finished their work in Iraq, but there are some people who have simply decided to leave," said Yevgeny Loginov, director of the company's international projects.

He also said that Interenergoservis was taking measures to increase security and improve living conditions for its staff members working to restore three thermoelectric power stations in the Iraqi capital.

"We maintain close contacts with the Iraqi energy ministry and the embassy, and we also take specific measures to prevent such situations in which our staff members found themselves," added Loginov.

A week ago, on May 10, unidentified persons shelled a car with three Russian citizens outside Baghdad, killing one of them, Alexei Konorev. The other two were taken hostage.

An earlier unknown group, the army of victorious community, has claimed the responsibility for the hostage taking.