15 August 2005, 15:04
Chechen authorities give shocking figures
One hundred and sixty thousand people have been killed in the two Chechen wars, mostly Russian-speaking residents of the republic, said Taus Jabrailov, head of Chechnya's State Council. "Thirty to forty thousand of them are Chechens," Jabrailov said at a press conference.
He added there were very many victims among civilians in the first war, including among Russian-speaking residents of the republic who had nowhere to go from cities and towns, unlike Chechens who were hiding with their relatives in villages, RIA Novosti says.
These figures comprise the total number of casualties, including federal forces, law enforcement agencies, and rebels, according to Jabrailov.