3 police and 3 suspected militants killed in 6 May clash in southern Vedeno district.

Ramzan Kadyrov inaugurated as president 5 April. Helicopter crashed, killing at least 18 servicemen; military did not confirm cause of crash. European Court of Human Rights found Russia culpable in disappearance of Shakhid Baysayev during military sweep in 2000, awarded widow damages.

Ramzan Kadyrov, nominated Chechen president by Russian President Putin, endorsed by Chechen parliament 1 March. Kadyrov declared separation of authority agreement between Chechen and federal governments “unnecessary”, announcing plans to align constitution with federal legislation. Bomb killed 1 Russian serviceman near Gekhi-Chu 24 March and federal soldiers killed woman in Urdyukhoi. 4 militants died in clash with troops near Tazen-Kale 23 March. Rebel commander Tahir Batayev killed in shoot-out with military in Gudermes 21 March. Severny civilian airport reopened 8 March.

PM Ramzan Kadyrov made acting president after Russian President Putin moved incumbent Alu Alkhanov to deputy Russian justice minister post. 2 police officers and 4 rebels reported dead in 13 February clash and 5 further police killed in base blast 23 February in Gudermes region.

5-month amnesty ended 15 January; Russia claimed over 500 rebel surrenders. In clash outside Grozny 1 police officer and 1 suspected rebel killed 22 January. In clashes in southern Gudermes, 4 soldiers and 1 rebel killed 29 January. European Court of Human Rights found Russian military guilty in Chechen torture case; President Putin said ruling “political”.

Soldier killed after bomb hit Russian military vehicle outside Grozny 7 December. Another wounded 11 December by suspected militants in Shatoi. Russian court began hearing case brought by 40 villagers alleging abuses by Russian security forces during June 2005 raid on village of Borozdinovskaya. Russian state Duma confirmed postponement of trial-by-jury in Chechnya until 2010.

Suspected rebel attacks killed at least 10 in southern Shatoi and eastern Kurchaloi districts. Russian army said 35 rebels collectively surrendered 22 November, bringing official figure of 2006 surrenders to 374. Former elite unit commander Baisarov, rival of Chechen PM Kadyrov, shot dead in Moscow 18 November, allegedly by Chechen police. European Court of Human Rights, in third such ruling in 4 months, ruled Russia to pay damages to Chechen woman whose relatives disappeared.

Journalist Anna Politkovskaya shot dead in Moscow by unknown assailants 7 October; had received threats over her work exposing human rights violations in Chechnya and due to publish report on police torture. Court closed Russian-Chechen human rights group; critics said attempt to silence criticism of Chechnya policy. At least 4 rebels and 1 police officer killed in clashes.

Rebel leader Umarov issued statement armed campaign would continue, withdrawing offer of peace talks; Russian parliament extended rebel amnesty until mid-January. Gunfight between Chechen and Ingush police on border killed 5 Chechen and 2 Ingush officers; officials said tragic mistake, but Ingush authorities also criticised Chechen police for launching cross-border raids without notification.

Russian President Putin asked defence and interior ministries to formulate plan for withdrawal of all non-permanent troops from Chechnya by 2008. Pro- Kremlin Chechen PM Kadyrov welcomed proposal. Separatist leader Umarov’s brother reportedly surrendered to Chechen authorities 18 August. Russian rights group reported major decrease in number of people killed or disappeared in republic in 2005 in comparison to 2004.