 |
Ahmed ZakaevFormer Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of Ichkeria, former Assistant to the President of Ichkeria for National Security
Country:
 Kazakhstan |
Biography of Ahmed Zakayev
Ahmed Zakayev, a former Deputy Prime Minister of the Ichkerian government and former Assistant to the President of Ichkeria for National Security from 1994-1996, is a well-known figure in the Chechen armed formations. He holds a degree from the State Institute of Theatre Arts in Moscow and has a background in acting, having previously worked as an actor at the Chechen-Ingush Drama Theater named after Khanpasha Nuradilov. He also served as the Chairman of the Union of Theatre Artists of the Chechen Republic and as the Minister of Culture in the government of Dzhokhar Dudayev.
During the Chechen conflict, Zakayev played a significant role as one of the influential field commanders and a member of the staff of the Southwest Front of the Chechen armed formations. He was involved in peace negotiations in 1995 and 1996 and participated in the peaceful resolution of the crisis in Chechnya. In October 1996, he was appointed Minister of Culture. In January 1997, he registered as a candidate for the presidency of the Chechen Republic and later became the Deputy Chairman of the government.
In October 1999, Zakayev was assigned command of a special purpose brigade, which became Masakhadov's personal reserve. In August 2000, he was injured during a special operation in the Urus-Martanovsky district. According to other sources, he was injured by a mine while leaving Grozny in February 2000. In the fall of 2001, he was appointed as the special representative of President Masakhadov for peace negotiations in Chechnya.
In November 2001, Zakayev met with Viktor Kazantsev, the presidential envoy to the Southern Federal District, in Moscow. On October 29, 2002, Zakayev was arrested in Copenhagen at the request of the Russian authorities. He was accused by Russia of being involved in the planning of the hostage-taking in Moscow on October 23 of that year and other terrorist acts between 1996 and 1999. Zakayev has been on an international wanted list with an arrest warrant for a year. On November 3, he expressed his intention to seek political asylum in Denmark.
On December 5, 2002, Zakayev arrived in London from Copenhagen, where he was arrested on the same day and later released on bail of £50,000. The Russian side has charged Zakayev with 11 articles of the Criminal Code, including terrorism, murder, kidnapping, and participation in armed rebellion. On November 13, 2003, the London court refused to extradite Zakayev to Russia. The judge concluded that Zakayev's extradition to Russia would be an unfair step and stated that Russia was seeking his extradition for his political positions. The case against Zakayev was closed, and he was released. Zakayev is considered to hold moderate views, which allows for negotiations and finding common ground with him.
Sergei Yastrzhembsky, an aide to the president, described Zakayev as a "perfectly normal, sane person" suitable for negotiations with the federal center. According to Yastrzhembsky, Zakayev is an "experienced politician not involved in any criminal cases." During the first war, he did not enjoy respect and was nicknamed the "second lover." He participated in negotiations in Grozny in 1995. He has not been involved in any murders and actively defended the independence of Chechnya.
In September 2001, as a representative appointed by Aslan Maskhadov for negotiations with the federal authorities, Zakayev stated in an interview with Chechenpress that the status of Chechnya cannot be a subject of negotiations. According to Zakayev, "the question of status cannot be raised" because he is not authorized to discuss this issue, and "no one will discuss it, including President Aslan Maskhadov." The reason is the "will of the entire Chechen people, confirmed by the first and second wars, when Chechens defended and continue to defend their inherent right to independence." Therefore, "no one should have any illusions that the Chechens will give up this right."
Zakayev has been accused by the Russian authorities of various crimes, including terrorism and rebellion, but his case was closed in the UK, and he was released.
