Twelve Afghans arrested near Chechnya border

Police in Russia say they have detained twelve Afghan citizens in the southern republic of Dagestan.

The driver of a bus in which the twelve were travelling said the men had come from Azerbaijan and were en route to the Dagestan capital, Makhachkala.

The police said none of the men had any travel documents and could not explain the purpose of their visit.

The police said they believed the men were going to join rebels in neighbouring Chechnya.

Russia has accused the ruling Taleban in Afghanistan of backing Chechen separatists.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service