may follow CHECHNYA ARRESTS The Russian news agency, Interfax, says the supreme Islamic court in the breakaway Russian republic of Chechnya has suspended parliament.

Legislators had earlier voted to reject a ruling last month by the court setting a three-month deadline for the suspension.

The court says the parliament does not conform to Islamic law.

Interfax quotes a spokesman for the Chechen president Aslan Maskhadov as saying he has agreed to dismiss six advisers, whom the Islamic court accused of being close to the Russians during Chechnya's war for independence.

Correspondents say Mr Maskhadov introduced Islamic Shariah law to fight lawlessness two years ago.