MOSCOW. Sept 25 (Interfax-AVN) - The international Muslim Brothers association, which has close ties with Osama bin Laden, is supplying rebels in Chechnya with significant funds.
Spokesman for the Federal Security Service PR center told Interfax on Tuesday that the service has proof that "the terrorist activities of [field commander] Khattab in Chechnya are being financed by Osama bin Laden."
He said that the Al-Qaeda organization led by bin Laden belongs to the international network of Muslim Brothers whose representatives operate in Chechnya.
The leadership of the Muslim Brothers in Chechnya used to consist of Arabs, including Khattab, as well as field commander Shamil Basayev, the service says. It was Arabs who formed the core of the rebel council that actually commands the hostilities in Chechnya and controls the funds.
Muslim Brothers operates in over 50 countries under the leadership of centers located in several Mideast and European countries. The extremist leaders coordinate their efforts with terrorist groups Al-Gamaa al-Islamia, Al-Jihad al-Islami and with bin Laden.