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Moscow not connected to Yandarbiyev murder - Ivanov

MOSCOW. Feb 26 (Interfax) - Moscow has nothing to do with the murder of Chechen separatist co-leader Zelimkhan Yandarbiyev, acting Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov said in an interview with the Al-Arabia Arab TV channel. The interview is available on the Russian Foreign Ministry's web site.

"We do not know what happened to Yandarbiyev. Terrorists have their own laws. We are unaware of the reasons for the incident," Ivanov said. "We have nothing to do with it."

Yandarbiyev was on the list of international terrorists, and Russia "insisted that he be extradited to be prosecuted for the crimes he had committed," Ivanov said.

"Russia has always been firm in the fight against terrorism. All terrorists must know that they will answer for their crimes sooner or later. We will not stop until they answer for crimes against innocent people," the acting minister said.

Earlier, Ivanov issued a firm statement to the Qatari authorities accusing them of "provocation" in arresting two Russian citizens on suspicion of Yandarbiyev's murder.