RUSSIA CHARGED WITH ATROCITIES IN CHECHNYA

Human Rights Watch-Helsinki, the international monitoring organization, accused Russian troops of assaulting Chechen civilians and torturing prisoners. Chechen officials had previously denied charges of Russian atrocities, but Chechen citizens told of looting and violent treatment at the hands of Russian troops. Human Rights Watch researchers checking out the allegations were themselves held at gunpoint by Russian soldiers, who confiscated their film and tapes. Russia's human rights commissioner, who is investigating the charges, has warned soldiers not to, "mete out mob law or even law and order."