Grozny anti-Russian demo

About 500 people have demonstrated in Chechnya's war-ravaged capital, Grozny, against Russia's military campaign in the separatist region.

They carried posters calling for what they called an end to terror and the release of prisoners.

The rally came after the Russians detained a number of suspected rebels in raids in southern Chechnya.

The operation coincided with renewed rebel attacks on Russian positions which are reported to have left several soldiers and pro-Russian officials wounded The Russians said they have killed about twenty Chechen fighters in the past 24 hours. Human rights organisations say Chechen civilians arrested by the Russians are often tortured.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service