What Is Driving Women To Suicide Missions?
By Valentinas Mite The dual suicide blasts at a Moscow rock concert this weekend are the latest example of a relatively new and disturbing phenomenon — female suicide bombers. The Kremlin was quick to blame the attacks on Chechen extremists, and says Islamic radicalism is on the rise in the republic. But human rights groups say that such attacks are a result of Russia’s merciless campaign in Chechnya. They say it is deepening the anger and despair that has driven Chechen women to launch suicide attacks — something that is antithetical to both Islam and traditional Chechen culture. Prague, 9 July 2003 (RFE/RL) — Chechen suicide bombings are a relatively new phenomenon, and bear a chilling distinction from similar attacks elsewhere: Nearly all the Chechen suicide bombers have been women. This weekend’s dual bombing at a Moscow open-air concert underscored the trend. Both bombers were women. One has been identified as Zalikhan Elikhadzhieva, a 20-year-old resident of the Chechen villag
