The end of the counterterrorism operation (CTO) in Russia's volatile republic of Chechnya in 2009 marked the Chechen people's victory over international terrorism, President Ramzan Kadyrov said on Thursday.
He thanked state security services, police and troops for "doing their utmost to purge the republic of terrorists and bandits of all hues."
The counterterrorism operation, which was launched in 1999, ended on April 16, 2009 and some 20,000 Russian Interior Ministry troops were subsequently withdrawn from the North Caucasus republic, which witnessed two brutal separatist wars in the 1990s and early 2000s.
Kadyrov lashed out at the "renegades" who had tried to impose their ideas and views on the Chechen people.
"We showed them that we have our culture, our traditions, and that we will not allow anyone to destroy our age-old customs," he said.
Under Kadyrov, who has been president of the region since 2007, the republic has seen a decrease in militant activity, although attacks on security and police forces still occur. The 33-year-old Chechen leader has been accused by his critics of involvement in human rights abuses, a charge that he denies.
According to Oleg Orlov, head of Memorial human rights group, the number of security personnel killed in terrorist attacks has in fact increased since the CTO regime was lifted.
He said 85 law enforcement officers were killed and 168 injured between April 16, 2009 and the end of March 2010 compared with 50 killed and 140 injured the year before.
Other North Caucasus republics, in particular Dagestan and Ingushetia, have also seen attacks on police and government officials.
GROZNY, April 15 (RIA Novosti)
