Strangers among our own

Employees of the Anti-Terrorist Center of Chechnya were accused of organizing a gang

Last week, the Supreme Court of Chechnya began considering a criminal case against seven members of an armed gang that engaged in robbery attacks on civilians. Its “backbone,” according to the prosecution, were employees of the Anti-Terrorism Center (ATC) of Chechnya Khamzat Reshidov, Amirbek Tareshev, Beslan Umelatov and Abubakar Magomedov. All four, by the way, are former militants who took advantage of the amnesty. Also in the dock were three “civilians” - Khamzat Khalemov, Ramzan Tamirgereev and Malika Mateeva, who, according to the investigation, “served” as “guiders” for the fighters against terrorism. In total, gang members are charged with committing several dozen armed raids.

As the investigation established, “the intent to organize a stable armed group to attack civilians of the republic in order to seize their property and valuables” among 30-year-olds Reshidov, Tareshev, Umelatov and Magomedov arose several years ago. All four - former members of illegal armed groups - at one time, tired of hiding in the mountains and forests, took advantage of the next amnesty for militants announced in June 2003: they voluntarily reported to the Grozny police station and laid down their arms. For some time they did odd jobs. But one day Reshidov heard that former militants were being hired at the ATC, the main structure responsible for maintaining security in Chechnya. After consulting, the friends, by their own admission, decided that this employment option would be the easiest and most affordable way to get down to “real business.”

On December 1, 2005, according to the investigation, the accused, having passed only a medical examination for health fitness, began their official duties at the ATC. Having received service IDs, military uniforms, equipment, Kalashnikov assault rifles, Makarov pistols, an MP-654K air pistol, ammunition and a Niva service car, the fighters held a meeting at which it was decided to accept three more members into the group - the common-law wife of the gang leader Mateeva, Khalemov and Tamirgereev. As follows from the case materials, “the roles between the gang members were clearly distributed.” So Reshidov led the gang, “all his tasks were strictly carried out,” Umelatov, Magomedov, Tamirgereev and the gang leader Tareshev participated in all raids, the rest served as gunners.

“The criminals acted exclusively at night,” said the investigative unit (IC) of the Investigation Department (ID) under the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Chechnya. - They themselves agreed that during their “shift” they should visit at least two houses or apartments. Only wealthy relatives, acquaintances or friends were chosen as victims - those who received compensation for property and housing lost during the hostilities, who had at least some jewelry or a good job in Grozny or the Grozny region.” As the investigation established, before going on the “case”, the spotters carried out “reconnaissance”, visiting future victims and noting where money and valuables were kept, whether there were household appliances, mobile phones, fur coats.

As follows from the testimony of the accused, they always went out to rob with weapons, in official uniform, and wearing masks with slits for the eyes. “Anti-terrorism fighters” entered the houses and apartments of the victims under various pretexts - to repair an official car, check passport regulations, or search for fugitive militants. Even if there were mistakes and the criminals were mistaken in the address indicated by the spotters, they still did not miss the opportunity to profit - sometimes even with a children's toy or 100 rubles. The criminals divided the money among themselves, the bulk of the stolen items and valuables were sold through buyers of stolen goods, some were given to loved ones or left at home.

As follows from the investigation materials, in the spring of 2006, the management of the ATC noticed that ordinary employees Reshidov, Tareshev, Umelatov and Magomedov, who received rather modest salaries, suddenly began to show off expensive things and jewelry. An internal audit was carried out, during which it turned out that ATC employees “using their official position, using weapons, IDs and uniforms, participated in robbery attacks on the houses and apartments of civilians.” The materials were transferred to the Chechen Ministry of Internal Affairs, and arrests began in May. First, Reshidov and Mateeva were detained, then the rest of the gang members.

As follows from the case materials, during the first interrogations the detainees confessed to everything. Officially, they are charged with committing more than 20 robberies; 59 people were recognized as victims in the case. The total damage amounted to more than 2 million rubles. However, the investigation has information that there were many more victims from this gang, but, fearing revenge from the accused, they refused to write statements.

Ekaterina KARACHEVA