MOTHER OF LATE POLICEMAN SPEAKS IN DEFENCE OF BUDANOV








MAKHACHKALA, 7 March, 2001 /Corr. RIA Novosti Dekabr Beibutov/ -- The mother of a Dagestani policeman killed in a battle with Chechen bandits has appealed to the leadership of Dagestan (an RF constituent republic) to defend Colonel Yuri Budanov, the commander of the 160th tank regiment, who is on trial for murder.


	A RIA Novosti correspondent reports that this request to defend the officer, who more than once featured in the fight against the bandits, was heard during a meeting today between the Chairman of Dagestan's State Council, Magometali Magomedov, and the mothers, wives and daughters of Dagestani policemen and militia, who lost the lives fighting against Chechen bandits that invaded the republic in the summer to autumn period of 1999.


	The meeting between the Dagestani leadership and the families of late policeman comes on the eve of March 8th (International Women's Day). Eighty three women were invited to the meeting, although a considerably larger number arrived from various regions and towns of Dagestan. Magomedov expressed his gratitude on behalf of the whole republic for the sacrifice the late militia and policemen had made for the freedom and honour of Dagestan, as well as the territorial integrity of Russia.