Russian Court sentences former Chechen commander Akhmed Zakayev to 20 years in absentia

The Southern District Military Court of Russia has sentenced Chechen politician and former field commander Akhmed Zakayev to 20 years in prison in absentia for allegedly establishing a Chechen battalion that fought on Ukraine’s side. The ruling was reported by Mediazona.

Zakayev and another figure in the case, Murad Yusupov, were found guilty of creating a terrorist organization. Additionally, Zakayev was convicted of public incitement to terrorism via the internet.

According to the investigation, in July 2022, Zakayev proclaimed himself the “leader” of the independent Chechen Republic within Ukraine and reportedly formed a battalion integrated into Ukraine’s Territorial Defense International Legion.

The court stated that evidence of the battalion’s existence emerged on August 31, 2022, leading to the initiation of criminal proceedings for establishing a terrorist organization.

Separately, Zakayev faced earlier charges of justifying terrorism based on a 2021 YouTube video where he allegedly incited terrorist acts.

Zakayev, who has lived in exile in Europe for years, has denied the charges, calling them politically motivated.