— Chechnya began its first international flights in 15 years on Monday, sending off a plane filled with Muslims on the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.
The Boeing 757 carrying more than 200 pilgrims took off from Grozny International Airport on Monday, according to the Chechen government’s web site.
“Today’s event is a great success for our people,” said Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov, who saw off the 3 a.m. flight. More international destinations will be added soon, he said.
The Chechen capital Grozny was leveled during two wars against the federal government in Moscow, and domestic flights resumed only in 2007.
Kadyrov, backed by Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, has rebuilt the city while wiping out resistance in a campaign criticized by human-rights groups.
Source: St Petersburg Times
