Ruslan Yamadayev
Ruslan Yamadayev | |
---|---|
Ruslan Yamadayev after receiving the Hero of the Russian Federation award in 2004. | |
Native name | Руслан Ямадаев |
Born |
Gudermes, Chechen-Ingush ASSR, USSR | 10 December 1961
Died |
24 September 2008 46) Moscow, Russia | (aged
Allegiance |
|
Rank | Colonel |
Battles/wars | |
Awards |
Hero of the Nation Hero of the Russian Federation |
Ruslan (Khalid or Halid)[1] Bekmirzayevich Yamadayev (Russian: Руслан (Халид) Бекмирзаевич Ямадаев) (10 December 1961 – 24 September 2008) was a Chechen military leader and politician. A member of the high-profile Yamadayev clan, he was assassinated in Moscow in 2008.[2][3][4][5][6][7] Yamadayev was one of the Kremlin's most loyal allies.[8]
Biography
Ruslan Yamadayev belonged to the Gudermes-based Chechen Benoi teip. Along with his brothers Sulim Yamadayev and Dzhabrail Yamadayev, he fought against the Russian forces during the First Chechen War before turning to Russia's side in 1999.[9]
For his struggle against the separatists in the Second Chechen War, Yamadayev was promoted to the rank of colonel and granted the title of Hero of the Russian Federation. From 2003 to 2007, he was a deputy to the State Duma from Chechnya. In 2004, he was nominated for the Chechen presidency.[10][11] He and his brothers ran several businesses, including a car market, a construction company, and a concrete factory, in Chechnya.[12]
Death
On 24 September 2008, Ruslan Yamadayev was assassinated on Smolenskaya Embankment in central Moscow near the Russian White House[13] when returning from a meeting in the Kremlin.[14] He was shot ten times while sitting in a car owned by his brother Sulim Yamadayev. Initially, it was reported the name of the victim as Sulim, which was corrected later.[15] The other victim of the shooting, the former military commandant of Chechnya and retired Colonel General Sergei Kizyun, was hospitalized in grave condition.[16] The Russian police has launched a criminal case on charges of murder and attempted murder.[17]
The pro-Moscow president of Chechnya Ramzan Kadyrov who had, in the months prior to the assassination, engaged in a bitter rivalry with the Yamadayevs[18][19][20] denied accusations of being behind the killing,[21] and suggested Yamadayev fell victim of a blood feud.[22] Sulim Yamadayev also accused Kadyrov[23] and promised to take revenge.[24][25] He also denied the claims of Kadyrov, stating that his brother did not have any blood feud or business clashes that could have caused his assassination.[12]
Sulim himself was reported killed on 29 March 2009 in Dubai.[26]
In April 2009, a court in Moscow convicted two Chechen of the assassination of Yamadayev.[27] Aslanbek Dadayev, allegedly Yamadayev's murderer, was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment, and Elimpasha Khatsuev, allegedly drove the car, was sentenced to 15 years in prison.[27]
See also
References
- ↑ "Sulim Goes to Chechnya to Bury Brother Despite Potential Trap". Kommersant. 26 September 2008. Retrieved 30 December 2012.
- ↑ Prominent Chechen gunned down in Moscow, Reuters, 24 September 2008
- ↑ Former Russian MP Yamadayev killed in Moscow, RIA Novosti, 24 September 2008
- ↑ Ex-lawmaker from powerful Chechen clan murdered in Moscow, France 24, 24 September 2008
- ↑ Yamadayev Shot Dead in City Center, The Moscow Times, 25 September 2008
- ↑ Powerful Chechen Clan Leader Killed in Moscow, The Other Russia, 25 September 2008
- ↑ Chechen Politician, a Former Rebel Leader, Is Slain in Moscow, The Washington Post, 25 September 2008
- ↑ Are, Dzhambulat (30 September 2008). "Death of a hero". Prague Watchdog. Retrieved 30 December 2012.
- ↑ "Speculation Swirls After Kadyrov Rival Is Slain In Russian Capital". The Journal of Turkish Weekly (Moscow). RFE/RL. 26 September 2008. Retrieved 30 December 2012.
- ↑ Ruslan Yamadayev nominated for Chechen presidency, Memorial, 1 June 2004
- ↑ Ruslan Yamadayev Claims to Take Chechnya President Post, Gazeta, 1 June 2004
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Sulim Yamadayev hopes that Ramzan Kadyrov did not kill his brother". Kavkaz Center. 29 September 2008. Retrieved 30 December 2012.
- ↑ (Russian) Руслан Ямадаев убит под окнами Белого дома, Gazeta, 24 September 2008
- ↑ Yamadaev Killed After Important Meeting in Kremlin, Kommersant, 25 September 2008
- ↑ In Moscow, ex-deputy of State Duma Ruslan Yamadaev was murdered, not his brother Sulim, Memorial, 24 September 2008
- ↑ "Chechnya’s President Lost the Best Enemy". Kommersant. 25 September 2008. Retrieved 30 December 2012.
- ↑ Brother says no reason for Chechen ex-MP Yamadayev's murder, RIA Novosti, 29 September 2008
- ↑ Tensions In Chechnya Boil Over, The St. Petersburg Times, 18 April 2008
- ↑ Yamadaev vs. Kadyrov: The Kremlin's Quandary with Chechnya, The Jamestown Foundation, 17 April 2008
- ↑ "Kadyrov targets the Yamadayev brothers". Kavkaz Center. 14 March 2008. Retrieved 30 December 2012.
- ↑ Chechen president denies link to former Russian MP's assassination, The Guardian, 25 September 2008
- ↑ Kadyrov Says Killing Tied to Blood Feud, The Moscow Times, 26 September 2008
- ↑ Rival accuses pro-Kremlin Chechen leader of murder, Reuters, 25 September 2008
- ↑ Russia: Chechen Vows to Avenge Killing, The New York Times, 25 September 2008
- ↑ "Who is behind the murder of Ruslan Yamadayev: Kadyrov or Medvedev?". Kavkaz Center. 26 September 2008. Retrieved 30 December 2012.
- ↑ Report: Kadyrov Foe Sulim Yamadayev Slain in Dubai, The Moscow Times, 30 March 2009
- ↑ 27.0 27.1 "Moscow court convicts 2 Chechen natives of Ruslan Yamadayev's murder". Ria Novoski. 18 October 2010. Retrieved 30 December 2012.