Therefore one can say that bandits wishing to go straight keep leaving local gangs at this stage. This process is being facilitated rather actively by the local population, representatives of district and town administrations, as well as by the Moslem clergy, a command-center spokesman noted.
For instance, Khasan Dzhabrailov, 22, member of a gang, which operated in the Chechen republic's Shatoi district, turned himself in on February 3rd. Dzhabrailov explains this decision by his sorry plight, which could be tolerated no longer. Dzhabrailov found himself in a deplorable situation, after believing the gang leader's lavish promises; moreover, he became disappointed in Wahhabi ideas.
The council of elders from a village, where Dzhabrailov lived helped the young man a lot. Dzhabrailov was eventually released on a no-exit pledge.
A village administrator also contacted law-enforcement agencies, saying that he represented the interests of two militants, who wanted to give up, as well. Ayub Dadayev, 25, and Magomed Umkhayev, 20, were kidnapped by terrorists from their respective populated localities in 2001 and included in a gang on pain of death; that gang operated in the Achkhoi-Martan district.
The official explained surrender terms and personal-safety guarantees, subsequently bringing in the militants, who laid down their weapons and ammunition. The former bandits continue to testify, with the authorities checking their affidavits.
