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Another participant of attack against Russian servicemen in Dagestan in 1999 to stand trial

The Main Investigations Directorate over North Caucasus Federal District of the Investigative Committee of Russia finished the investigation into Batyrbek Yumartov, another member of the gang led by Shamil Basaev and Emir Khattab. He is accused of committing offenses under Article 317 (encroachment on a life of a military officer), Part 2 of Article 209 (banditry), and Article 279 (armed riot) of the Criminal Code of Russia.

According to the investigation, in the middle of July 1999, Stavropol Territory resident Batyrbek Yumartov had voluntarily joined the gang led by Shamil Basaev and Emir Khattab and taken an active part in committing grave and especially grave offenses. For instance, from August 7 to August 24, 1999, the operatives armed with automatic firearms, grenades, and explosive devices, acting as part of the regular armed group of Basaev and Khattab consisting of at least 1,000 persons, had taken an active part in the armed riot. In order to overthrow the constitutional order and to violate the territorial integrity of the Russian Federation, they had encroached on the lives of servicemen of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation that had been ensuring public security and establishing constitutional order in Botlikhsky District of the Republic of Dagestan. As a result of the massive targeted fire performed by the gang members including Yumartov, 33 persons had been killed and 34 citizens had received injuries of varying severity.

The investigation gathered enough evidence of Yumartov’s involvement in the offenses he was charged with; therefore, the criminal case with the approved indictment was sent to the court to be tried on the merits.

The preliminary investigation identified, recognized as victims and questioned 72 military officers and their close relatives. They were subject to 72 forensic examinations.

From 1999 to 2019, over 80 participants of the attack against Botlikhsky and Tsumadinsky Districts of the Republic of Dagestan had been accused of committing these crimes and sentenced to 3-15 years of imprisonment. Investigations into seven operatives including Basaev had been closed due to their death. 28 persons were put on federal and international wanted lists.

At present, investigations are carried out into two other participants of the attack; their involvement is being verified, their roles and activities in the gang are being established.

The criminal investigation is ongoing; investigators are taking measures to identify other gang participants involved in the attack.