Akhmed Zakayev

In this name that follows Eastern Slavic naming customs, the patronymic is Halidovich and the family name is Zakayev.
Akhmed Zakayev
Заки Ахьмад
Zakayev in 2018
Prime Minister of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria's government-in-exile[1]
Incumbent
Assumed office
25 November 2007
Preceded byDokka Umarov
Deputy Prime Minister of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria
In office
1997 – 6 February 2006
Foreign Minister of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria
In office
1997 – 29 July 1999
PresidentAslan Maskhadov
Culture Minister of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria
In office
1994 – 20 November 2007
PresidentDzhokhar Dudayev
Personal details
Born
Akhmed Khalidovich Zakayev

(1959-04-26) 26 April 1959 (age 65)
Kirovskiy, Kazakh SSR, Soviet Union (now Almaty Region, Kazakhstan)
CitizenshipIchkerian (1991–2000)
SpouseRosa Zakayeva
Alma materVoronezh State Academy of Arts
Military service
Allegiance Chechen Republic of Ichkeria
RankBrigadier General
Battles/warsFirst Chechen War
Second Chechen War
Russian invasion of Ukraine

Akhmed Halidovich Zakayev (Chechen: Заки Хьалид кӏант Ахьмад, romanized: Zaki Ẋalid Khant Aẋmad; Russian: Ахмед Халидович Закаев, Akhmed Khalidovich Zakayev; born 26 April 1959) is a Chechen statesman, political and military figure of the unrecognised Chechen Republic of Ichkeria (ChRI). Having previously been a Deputy Prime Minister, he now serves as Prime Minister of the ChRI government-in-exile. He was also the Foreign Minister of the Ichkerian government, appointed by Aslan Maskhadov shortly after his 1997 election, and again in 2006 by Abdul Halim Sadulayev. An active participant in the Russian-Chechen wars, Zakayev took part in the battles for Grozny and the defense of Goyskoye, along with other military operations, as well as in high-level negotiations with the Russian side.[2]

In 2002, Russia accused him, by then in exile, of having been involved in a series of crimes including involvement in acts of terrorism.[3][4] In 2003, judge Timothy Workman of Bow Street Magistrates' Court in central London rejected the extradition request due to lack of evidence and declared the accusations to be politically motivated, also saying that there was substantial risk of Zakayev being tortured if he was returned to Moscow.[5][6]

Since the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Zakayev has announced formation of the Separate Special Purpose Battalion of the Chechen Armed Forces, functioning as a Chechen volunteer battalion fighting with the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference caucasuswatch was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Chechyna’s Theatre of War: Akhmed Zakayev – actor, politician and former resistance fighter – talks to Vanora Bennett [sic] Archived 23 July 2008 at the Wayback Machine, The Liberal, 2007
  3. ^ UK actress defends Chechen rebel Archived 12 January 2009 at the Wayback Machine, BBC News, 6 December 2002
  4. ^ Chechen accused of terror acts Archived 8 June 2004 at the Wayback Machine, BBC News, 9 June 2003
  5. ^ The Zakayev Case: Cui Bono? Archived 1 May 2009 at the Wayback Machine, Prague Watchdog, 5 August 2003
  6. ^ Court rejects Chechen extradition Archived 12 January 2009 at the Wayback Machine, BBC News, 13 November 2003