MOSCOW, February 22 (RAPSI) – A criminal case against Rustam Ismailov, allegedly involved in the attack against members of Russian military forces in 1999, has been forwarded to the Supreme Court of Dagestan for hearing, the Investigative Committee’s statement reads.

The man stands charged with gang activity and infringement on the life of military servicemen.

Investigators claim that in July 1999, the accused joined a gang under the leadership of notorious warlords Shamil Basayev and Emir Khattab. In August 1999, about 1,000 gang members with automatic arms, grenades and bombs, attempted the life of Russian servicemen in the Republic of Dagestan leaving 33 persons dead and 34 others injured.

During investigation into the attack, 72 members of military forces and their close relatives were questioned and recognized as victims in the case.

From 1999 to 2017, over 70 people received prison terms ranging from 3 to 15 for participation in the attack. Criminal proceedings against seven militants including Basayev was dismissed because of their death, according to the statement.

In December 2017, the North Caucasus District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don sentenced two other members of Basayev’s gang, Ramzan Belyalov and Magomed Mazdayev to 15 and 13 years in a penal colony respectively for attack and taking hostages in the Russian town of Budyonnovsk in 1995.