Put out of action by serious leg wound, Chechen warlord Shamil Basayev has turned to the internet to continue his cause against the Russian invaders, issuing a fatwah on the Acting Russian President.

The Fatwah issued by Basayev and his Islamic organization (whose name is not given) amounts to a death sentence for Russia_s acting president for the defeat inflicted on Chechen rebels. Whoever successfully carries out the fatwah is sure to receive the grace of Allah and avenge the blood of the Chechen people. But there is also a financial motivation: Basayev has put a $2.5 million price tag on Putin_s head. And it seems that Basayev and his men are serious, since on the same server there is an E-mail address and fax number where any questions or comments may be sent in Arabic, English or Russian. The fax number given is for an address in the area of the Scottish villages of Benbecula, Kernan and Gregory. However, this is most probably simply a forwarding service with no direct involvement with the rebels. We sent an e-mail to the address given to get more details about the fatwah_s conditions and payment. We were interested to know how soon the reward would be paid and how; if they would pay the reward in cash, how and in what country can one get it, or, if by bank transfer would they pay the whole sum straight away or in installments, and would it be possible to negotiate an increase of the reward? An answer came in just a few minutes: “Dear Sir, the answer to your inquiry with the details of the payment of the reward will be sent to you by fax orE-mail in a few days. Allah Akbar! Imam Shamil Basayev.”