GROZNY. Jan 31 (Interfax-AVN) - A medieval tower complex has been destroyed in the southern Chechen Argun Gorge, Edilbek Uzuyev, head of the Itum-Kale district of Chechnya, told Interfax.
"A unique architectural monument, which is on the UNESCO list, has been destroyed by artillery shots fired by servicemen who delivered food and ammunition to one of the military units," Uzuyev told the republic's television on Thursday.
"A criminal case has been opened based on this fact, and the culprits have already been arrested," Uzuyev said. He said the servicemen were drunk when they committed the offense.
The architectural complex was located near the village of Chinkhoi and was a family estate of the Chinkhoi clan, one of the largest clans in Chechnya. The towers were built several hundred years ago on the bank of the Argun River, and were used for defense against invaders. The towers could only be reached by crossing a stream that is over 10 meters wide, Uzuyev said.
The military has so far not commented on these accusations.