Shamil Basayev

In the statement, Basayev, Russia's most wanted man, said brigades of the group Riyadus-Salikhin, which he heads, carried out the Beslan attack as well as bomb attacks that downed two passenger planes and attacks in Moscow, the Web site www.kavkazcenter.com said.

Rebels commanded by Basayev have "carried out a series of successful military operations . . . ," including "the operation in the town of Beslan," said a letter signed by the notorious warlord and posted on the site.

The Japan Times Weekly: Sept. 25, 2004
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