11:52, 21 March 2019

Aslan Yandiev accused of terror acts in North Ossetia refuses to admit guilt

Aslan Yandiev in the court room. Photo by Konstantin Volgin for the "Caucasian Knot"

In Rostov-on-Don, the court began to consider the case against Aslan Yandiev, accused of committing two terror acts in North Ossetia. Public prosecutors suggest Aslan Yandiev had links with militants of Shamil Basaev, and the defendant completely denies the guilt.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Ingush native Aslan Yandiev has been on the international wanted list since April 2007. In January 2011, he was detained in Slovakia, and in July 2018, he was extradited to Russia.

In the case on weapons possession and banditry, terror act, and killings committed in North Ossetia in 2007, the Aslan Yandiev's alleged accomplices Rustam Tsurov, Umar Khadziev, and Alikhan Ozdoev were sentenced to long terms of imprisonment. They pleaded not guilty and stated they had testified "under severe torture."

According to the public prosecutors' version, in autumn of 2005, Aslan Yandiev "voluntarily joined an armed grouping," organized by order of Shamil Basaev, and in December, he organized the grenade shelling of the "Vladikavkaz-2" substation.

Two more episodes concern explosions in Vladikavkaz on February 2, 2006. Both improvised explosive devises (IEDs) were planted at the entrance to the slot machine clubs. Three persons were killed, and other 39 were injured.

Aslan Yandiev is also charged with planting an IED on a square in Vladikavkaz. On March 25, 2006, the IED was discovered and defused.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on March 21, 2019 at 00:19 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.

Author: Konstantin Volgin

Source: CK correspondent