By empty (2/22/2005 issue of the CACI Analyst)

A high-ranking Russian diplomat has reiterated Moscow\'s position that, in the fight against terrorism, \"double standards,\" such as granting political asylum to Chechen separatists as some Western countries have done, are unacceptable. \"The fact that persons [such as Akhmed Zakayev or Ilyas Akhmadov], who are on international wanted lists for terrorist crimes, receive political asylum and the freedom to travel in some countries arouses concern,\" Anatoly Safonov, the Russian presidential envoy for international cooperation in fighting terrorism and international organized crime, told Interfax on Tuesday. Chechen separatist emissaries Zakayev and Akhmadov have been granted political asylum in Britain and the United States, respectively.

By empty (2/21/2005 issue of the CACI Analyst)

A court in Uzbekistan has jailed six people over last year’s attacks against US and Israeli embassies. Monday\'s verdict was the latest end to a wave of controversial trials after bombing attacks on the embassies killed four Uzbek security guards. Well over 100 people have been jailed so far for the violence.

By empty (2/21/2005 issue of the CACI Analyst)

Kazakhstan\'s president signed a contentious anti-extremism bill into law Monday, his office said. Rights groups say the legislation could be used to restrict religious and civil freedoms. President Nursultan Nazarbayev\'s office said the bill aims to prevent religious, political and other forms of extremism in the oil-rich Central Asian country, whose neighbors have been plagued by Islamic militant attacks.