The grave was found in wasteland, one kilometre from the Russian base at Khankala, on the outskirts of the capital Grozny.

Previous estimates had put the number of dead at 28.

"Practically all of the dead were men of fighting age," said Chechen prosecutor Vsevolod Chernov.

"Most of them had gunshot wounds and bandages".

"The majority of the dead were probably rebels," he added, saying that this was indicated by the internationally made camouflage and Turkish underwear that many were wearing.

Accused of abuses

The Russian authorities have long accused the Chechen separatists of obtaining supplies and recruits from Islamic organisations in countries such as Turkey.

However, eyewitness accounts quoted by the Russian human rights group Memorial claim that the bodies found in the grave were those of civilians, not separatist fighters.

Human rights organisations have repeatedly accused the Russian military of rights abuses in Chechnya.

The report on the mass grave came as the first trial of a soldier accused of carrying out atrocities in Chechnya was adjourned due to the ill health of the defendant.

Accidental killing

Colonel Yuri Budanov stands accused of kidnapping and murdering a young Chechen woman.

He denies murdering her, saying that he killed Elza Kungayeva by accident in the course of an "anti-terrorist operation" in her village.