Tahir Yuldashev

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Tahir Abduhalilovich Yuldashev (original Uzbek spelling Tohir Abduhalilovich Yo‘ldoshev, also spelled as Tahir Yuldashev, Tohir Yoldoshev, Takhir Yuldashev and other ways) is a founder and leader of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan.

The Uzbek government labeled him the "political leader" of the group. When military leader Juma Namangani was reportedly killed in Afghanistan in 2001, Yuldashev took over the IMU's day-to-day operations as well.

When the Soviet Union was starting to lose its grip on Central Asia, Yuldashev founded the Adolat or "Justice" movement. The group, distinguisable by green armbands, beat criminals with sticks, truncheons, and hoses. Other groups of people considered sinful, such as prostitutes, beggars, women dressed immodestly in their view, drunkards, drug addicts, and tobacco vendors, were beaten.

When Uzbek President Islam Karimov started to crack down on Islamist groups, Yuldashev feared for his life and fled the country.

Yuldashev was sentenced to death in absentia by the government of Uzbekistan. After the US Invasion of Afghanistan, he has not been seen by the public eye, vanishing into obscurity. A major military engagement in March 2004 involving Afghan, Pakistani and U.S. forces cornered an estimated 400 rebels near the Afghan border of Waziristan, Pakistan. It was thought that the rebels were protecting Yuldashev, but he was not apprehended. Reportedly he was helped to escape by local Waziri leader Nek Muhammad Wazir. Yuldashev may or may not still be living in Afghanistan or Pakistan.