MOSCOW, Feb. 3 (UPI) -- Chechen rebel leader Shamil Basayev, who led the Beslan school bloodbath last autumn has vowed more attacks, The Times of London reported Thursday.
In an interview to be broadcast in Britain Thursday night, Basayev quoted verses from the Koran and said rebels were at war with the Russian government and civilians who supported the governments of Russia and Chechnya.
"We are planning more Beslan-type operations in the future because we are forced to do so," the 40-year-old warlord said. He also said he would be willing to face charges in an Islamic court for the Beslan attack in September in which 344 people died, including 190 children.
Meanwhile, the decision to air the interview in Britain did not sit well in Moscow.
"Moscow feels very negative about a possible broadcast of an interview with notorious international terrorist Shamil Basayev," a Foreign Ministry source told Interfax Thursday.
Midday Thursday, Interfax reported rumors were circulating in Abkhazia that Basayev had died. There were no further details given.
