Chechen leader Kadyrov accuses Georgia of helping Chechen terrorists

Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov accused Georgia Friday of financing militants carrying out attacks in the North Caucasus region and again urged the extradition of militant leaders abroad.

"Previously they received funds and weapons through Georgia's territory. Whole armed groups were sent to Chechnya via Georgia as well. One can say that Georgia remains today almost the single source of assistance for them," media quoted Kadyrov as saying.

He also said young people were recruited there and sent to Chechnya via Georgia.

"Persons like Udugov and Zakayev live in Georgia and the UK. These countries support them and refuse to extradite these terrorists," the Chechen leader said.

So far, the majority of active militants have been local residents. Russian authorities carry out special operations regularly to crack down on them.

In the latest attack on the region's parliament, the militants killed three people and injured 17 more.

Violence is common in the mainly Muslim North Caucasus republics of Chechnya, Dagestan and Ingushetia, with militants frequently targeting police officers and authorities.

Moscow has vowed to bring stability to the region via improving social services, raising pensions and salaries as a measure to tackle corruption and terrorism infiltration.

Source: Xinhua