14:42, 30 December 2003

Turkish citizens who were declared to have been killed in Chechnya appeared on television

Yastrjembsky's statement that Russian special operations forces destroyed 17 Mojaheds (22 by another version) near Serzhen-Yurt and that one German and three Turkish citizens were among the people killed may turn to serious international embarrassing position for the Kremlin.

At least two Turkish citizens from the three whose passports Yastrjembsky had demonstrated at a press-conference in Moscow went on Turkish television on December 26 and declared they were alive and well.

One of them, Mustafa Shaly, said in his interview with ATV channel that he had lost his passport 12 years ago and he had not left his country since 1992.

Parents of the third Turk mentioned by Yastrjembsky told journalists that their son had left the country 1.5 years ago and they had not heard from him since then.

Almost all Turkish channels ask the question why Russian high officials afford such doubtful statements.

Editors note: See also the article: "Group of mercenaries destroyed in Chechnya".

Source: Kavkaz Center Website