WASHINGTON — The United States has declared a Chechen group a terrorist organization and is offering up to $5 million for information leading to its commander.
The State Department announced the action against the Caucasus Emirate on Thursday after Presidents Barack Obama and Dmitry Medvedev met in France. The group is blamed for bombing Domodedovo Airport in January, two metro stations in 2010 and a train in 2009.
The designation aims to block financial support for the militants. The United States also authorized a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to the group's commander, Doku Umarov.
It said he also has encouraged violence against the United States, Britain and Israel.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.