Ahead of Putin's arrival, the international pressure group released in London a damning 32-page report detailing what it alleged were massacres and gang rapes committed by Russian troops.

"Russian soldiers went on a rampage in the Chechen village of Alkhan-Yurt in December 1999, looting and burning dozens of homes and summarily executing at least 14 civilians, and raping several women," the report said.

Human Rights Watch condemned "Russia's military and political leadership for failing to investigate the crime, and charges that Russia's military command is complicit of the abuses."

The group called on British Prime Minister Tony Blair to ... “ warn his guest that Britain will take Russia to the European Court of Human Rights if the massacres are not fully investigated by Russian prosecutors."

According to the report Alkhan-Yurt was bombarded for weeks before Russian troops seized the village and induced a two-week reign of terror, driving hundreds of civilians from their homes.

Russia has opened its own inquiry into what happened in the village, and has vowed to investigate allegations of atrocities committed elsewhere in the breakaway republic by its troops during its six-month campaign against Chechen Muslims.

The Kremlin has refused, however, to allow international monitors free access to Chechnya. Putin left Minsk for London after meeting President Alexander Lushenko of Belarus. His two-day visit to London, during which he will meet Blair and take tea with Queen Elizabeth II, will be his first outside the former Soviet Union since he was elected on March 26.

	Amid Tight Security Protesters Demonstrate IMF, World Bank Meeting
	U.S. Congress: India Might Be Responsible For Sikh Massacre
	G77 Summit Condemns IMF, World Bank Policy
	Albright Arrives In Uzbekistan On Last Leg Of Central Asian Tour
	Pakistani Shi’ites Observe Ashura Against All Odds
	Philippine Muslim Rebels Revive Beheading Threat If Demands Not Met
	Saudi To Set Up Own Human Rights Panels, Rules Out Amnesty Visit

Top News