The FSB's "approach to the capture of Aslan Maskhadov and Shamil Basayev will be changed," FSB director Nikolai Patrushev said at the session of the Federation Council on Monday. His words were cited to RIA Novosti by a senator present at the closed-door session. Interior Minister Rashid Nurgaliev and Prosecutor General Vladimir Ustinov were present at the session.
The senator, who wished to stay anonymous, said that Patrushev did not specify how the approach is to be changed.
Earlier, the FSB announced a 300-million-ruble (over 10 million dollars) reward for trustworthy information on the location of Chechen separatist leaders Basayev and Maskhadov.
Even militants may get the reward, the press center of the regional operative headquarters for the counter terrorist operation in the North Caucasus told RIA Novosti.
At the Monday session of the Federation Council, the heads of the police and security services cited the death toll in Beslan - 338 killed and 80 unidentified to this day.
The source said that it was officially confirmed that 32 militants took part in the seizure of the Beslan school. One of them has been detained and is testifying.
"Patrushev has confirmed that most of the militants were unaware of the nature of the terrorist act," the source added.
