Russia Issues Arrest Warrant for Zakayev
An arrest warrant has been issued for Akhmed Zakayev, Prime Minister of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria in exile, on charges of the “creation of a terrorist grouping in the interests of Ukraine’s armed forces, and the justification of terrorism“.
The TASS news agency reported on June 25 that Zakayev was also added to Russia’s wanted list.
Along with Zakayev, Russia added to its wanted list and issued an arrest warrant for Murad Yusupov, who is a leader from Chechnya of the Separate Special Battalion within the International Legion of Ukraine’s armed forces.
Russian investigators accuse Zakayev of proclaiming himself the leader of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria. They say he attracted Yusupov and other unspecified individuals to join Ukraine’s armed forces fighting against Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Zakayev and Yusupov also have been added to Russia’s list of terrorists and extremists.
The Southern military court in the city of Rostov-on-Don is scheduled to start a trial in absentia of Zakayev and Yusupov on July 2.
Zakayev told RFE/RL that despite probes launched in Russia against him and his colleagues, Chechen groups in Ukraine’s International Legion will continue operating and taking part in Ukraine’s efforts to repel Russia’s aggression.
Moscow-backed leader of the Russian occupied Chechnya Ramzan Kadyrov called on natives of Chechnya to kill Zakayev and announced his personal blood feud against supporters of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria fighting on Ukraine’s side.
