In Russia, Akhmed Zakayev and Murad Yusupov were sentenced in absentia to lengthy terms
The Southern District Military Court of the Russian Federation sentenced the head of the government of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria in exile Akhmed Zakayev in absentia to 20 years in prison. In addition, Murad Yusupov, whom the Russian authorities call the commander of the Ichkerian battalion in the Ukrainian Armed Forces, was sentenced to 19 years.
According to the Russian investigation, in July 2022, Zakayev proclaimed himself the leader of the independent Chechen Republic and created a battalion as part of the Foreign Legion of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Yusupov assumed command.
In June 2024, the Russian authorities placed Akhmed Zakayev and Murad Yusupov on the international wanted list. They were charged under Part 1 of Article 205.4 of the Russian Criminal Code (creation of a terrorist community) and Part 2 of Article 205.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (public justification of terrorism using the Internet).
"In July 2022, while on the territory of Ukraine, Akhmed Zakayev, having proclaimed himself the leader of the so-called independent Chechen Republic of Ichkeria and having united into a stable group with Yusupov, as well as other persons unidentified by the investigation, created a terrorist community called the "Separate Special Purpose Battalion of the Ministry of Defense of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria as part of the Foreign Legion of Ukraine," the case materials said.
"The Chechens have not forgotten anything and, paying tribute to the memory of the Ukrainians who supported them in repelling Russian aggression, are fighting on the side of Kyiv. Just as the Russian empire will not survive, the Chechens will not be satisfied with a change of regime - only a complete transformation of the state," this is how Akhmed Zakayev explained on the air of the FREEDOM TV channel the support of the Ichkerian government for Ukraine and the participation of volunteer Chechen formations on its side.
