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Ali TazievOne of the leaders of the Caucasian militants, captured in 2010 in Ingushetia
Date of Birth: 19.08.1974
Country:  Russia |
Content:
- Life of a Notorious Caucasian Militant: Ali 'Magas' Taziev
- Joining the Militants
- Rise to Militant Prominence
- Involving in Major Attacks
- Suspected Involvement in Beslan School Siege
- Further Militant Activities
- Rise to the Top and Arrest
- Conclusion
Life of a Notorious Caucasian Militant: Ali 'Magas' Taziev
Early Life and BackgroundAli Musayevich Taziev, also known as 'Magas', was born on either August 19, 1974 or 1978. His place of birth is disputed, with sources variously citing Grozny or Nasirkort village in the Chechen-Ingush ASSR. An ethnic Ingush, Taziev did not participate in the First Chechen War.
Joining the Militants
According to some reports, Taziev joined the militants in 1996. Others claim he served in the Ingush Interior Ministry's non-departmental security from 1998, holding the rank of senior lieutenant. His nickname during his service was reportedly 'Colonel'. In October 1998, he was tasked with guarding Olga Uspenskaya, the wife of Ingush presidential advisor Valery Fateev. During an ambush on their vehicle, Uspenskaya and her husband were taken hostage. Uspenskaya was eventually released in 2000, but Taziev was initially presumed dead.
Rise to Militant Prominence
However, Taziev had defected to the militants, obtaining a forged passport under the name Magomed or Akhmed Evloev. He joined the group led by Abu Al-Walid or Shamil Basayev, participating in the seizure of Vedensky District in 1999. Soon after, he formed his own terrorist cell with members from various ethnicities. It was during this time that he adopted his nom de guerre 'Magas'.
Involving in Major Attacks
Taziev's group carried out major attacks in 2003. In May, they attacked a federal troop convoy in Nozhay-Yurtovsky District, and in July, they executed the head of the administration of Gordali village. In April 2004, Basayev appointed Taziev as the leader of militant operations in Ingushetia. He allegedly played a key role in the raid on Nazran on June 21-22, 2004, killing Ingush Interior Minister Abukar Kostoyev and two prosecutors.
Suspected Involvement in Beslan School Siege
In September 2004, Taziev is believed to have organized or participated in the Beslan school siege. Reports initially claimed he was killed during the assault, but this was later disproven. He is suspected of fleeing the scene with payment for the attack.
Further Militant Activities
Throughout 2006, Taziev allegedly participated in the kidnapping of Ingush parliamentarian Magomed Chakhiev and the murder of his former militia superior, Dzhabrail Kostoyev. In 2007, he organized the kidnapping of President Murat Zyazikov's uncle, who was later released. Taziev was also behind the bombing of a passenger bus in Nevinnomyssk, which killed three and injured 24.
Rise to the Top and Arrest
In the hierarchy of the 'Caucasus Emirate', proclaimed in 2007, Taziev became a commander of forces. He was considered the 'Terrorist No.2' in the Caucasus, after Dokka Umarov. On June 9, 2010, Taziev was apprehended in Malgobek, Ingushetia, where he had been living with a forged passport. He cooperated extensively with investigators, helping to eliminate dozens of militants. However, in 2012, he faced additional charges related to earlier attacks.
Conclusion
Ali Taziev, known as 'Magas', was a notorious Caucasian militant leader who played a key role in multiple terrorist attacks. His capture and cooperation with authorities shed light on the activities of the Caucasus Emirate. He remained imprisoned until his eventual fate, serving as a cautionary tale about the dangers of radicalized violence.
