The Russian general consulate in Brest acknowleged that on Saturday 125 persons of Chechnyan nationality were detained at the Belarussian-Polish border. Diplomats in the consulate reported by telephone to RIA "Novosti" that the detained are "scattered among the hotels of Brest, at the given moment the situation is peaceful and under control."Other than this the consulate declined futher commentary. No one would answer the telephones at the Belarussian interior and foreign ministries
Earlier it was reported that the people were alarmed by the latest reports in the northern Caucasus, and were trying to leave Russian territory. Belarussian border guards reported that the exits visas of the Chechnyans were all in order, but the Polish side refused to let those exiting Russian to enter their territory.
12 September 2004
Russia in the World