View source for Akhmed Zakayev

{{use dmy dates|date=December 2012}}
{{Infobox Officeholder
| name                = Akhmed Zakayev <br/> <small>Ахмед Халидович Закаев</small>
| image               =    
| imagesize           =
| smallimage          =
| caption             =
| order               = [[Prime Minister]] of the [[Chechen Republic of Ichkeria]]
| term_start          = 25 November 2007
| term_end            = 23 August 2009
| vicepresident       =
| viceprimeminister   =
| deputy              =
| president           =
| primeminister       =
| predecessor         =
| successor           =
| order2              = [[Deputy Prime Minister]] of the [[Chechen Republic of Ichkeria]]
| term_start2         = 1997
| term_end2           = 6 February 2006
| vicepresident2      =
| viceprimeminister2  =
| deputy2             =
| president2          =
| primeminister2      =
| predecessor2        =
| successor2          =
| order3              = [[Foreign Minister]] of the [[Chechen Republic of Ichkeria]]
| term_start3         = 1997
| term_end3           = 29 July 1999
| vicepresident3      =
| viceprimeminister3  =
| deputy3             =
| president3          =
| primeminister3      =
| predecessor3        =
| successor3          =
| order4              = [[Culture Minister]] of the [[Chechen Republic of Ichkeria]]
| term_start4         = 1994
| term_end4           = 20 November 2007
| vicepresident4      =
| viceprimeminister4  =
| deputy4             =
| president4          =
| primeminister4      =
| predecessor4        =
| successor4          =
| birth_name=Akhmed Khalidovich Zakayev
| birth_date          = {{Birth date and age|1959|4|26|df=y}}
| birth_place         = Kirovskiy, [[Kazakh SSR]], [[Soviet Union]] (now Almaty Region, Kazakhstan)
| death_date          =
| death_place         =
| constituency        =
| party               =
| spouse              =
| religion            = [[Islam]]
| signature           =
| footnotes           =
}}

'''Akhmed Khalidovich Zakayev''' ({{lang-ce|Заки Хьалид кlант Ахьмад, Zaki Halid kant Ahmad}}, {{lang-ru|Ахмед Халидович Закаев, Akhmed Khalidovich Zakayev}}; born 26 April 1959) is a former [[Deputy Prime Minister]] and [[Prime Minister]] of the unrecognised [[Chechen Republic of Ichkeria]] (ChRI). He was also the [[Foreign Minister]] of the [[Chechen Republic of Ichkeria|Ichkeria]]n government, appointed by [[Aslan Maskhadov]] shortly after his 1997 election, and again in 2006 by [[Abdul Halim Sadulayev]]. During the [[First Chechen war]] Zakayev took part in the battles for [[Grozny]] and other military operations, as well as in high-level negotiations with the [[Russia]]n side.<ref>[http://www.theliberal.co.uk/issue_10/politics/zakayev_bennett_10.html Chechyna’s Theatre of War: Akhmed Zakayev – actor, politician and former resistance fighter – talks to Vanora Bennett], ''[[The Liberal]]'', 2007</ref>

In 2002, Russia accused him, by then in exile, of having been involved in a series of crimes including involvement in acts of [[terrorism]].<ref name="bbc_2002">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/2548939.stm UK actress defends Chechen rebel], [[BBC News]], 6 December 2002</ref><ref name="bbc_accused">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/2975682.stm Chechen accused of terror acts], [[BBC News]], 9 June 2003</ref> 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 [[torture]]d if he was returned to [[Moscow]].<ref>[http://www.watchdog.cz/?show=000000-000004-000003-000095&lang=1 The Zakayev Case: Cui Bono?], [[Prague Watchdog]], 5 August 2003</ref><ref name="autogenerated2003">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/3266325.stm Court rejects Chechen extradition], [[BBC News]], 13 November 2003</ref>

== Biography ==

=== Early life ===

Akhmed Zakayev was born in the settlement of Kirovskiy, Kirovskiy Raion (nowadays called [[Balpyk Bi]], [[Koksu District]]), in the [[Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic|Kazakh SSR]], [[Soviet Union]], which is now in [[Almaty Region]], in [[Kazakhstan]]; his family was deported by [[Joseph Stalin|Stalin]]'s regime along with the rest of the Chechens in 1944. He graduated from [[acting]] and [[choreography]] schools in [[Voronezh]] and Moscow and worked as an [[actor]] at a theatre in the Chechen capital [[Grozny]], specializing in a [[William Shakespeare|Shakespearean]] roles. From 1991, he was the chairman of the Chechen Union of the Theatrical Actors. In 1994, Zakayev became a [[Minister of Culture]] in the Chechen separatist government of [[Dzhokhar Dudayev]].

=== Chechen wars and the interwar period ===

After Russian forces entered Chechnya, starting the [[First Chechen War]], Zakayev left his job and took up arms. Serving at first as a minor commander in the unit of [[Ruslan Gelayev]], he took part in the [[battle of Grozny (1994–1995)|1995 battle of Grozny]] and then led the defence of the village of [[Goyskoye]]. After this the armed group under his command operated in the south-west part of Chechnya with its headquarters in the town of [[Urus-Martan]]. He was eventually promoted to the rank of [[Brigadier General]] and appointed commander of the [[Urus-Martanovsky District|Urus-Martan Front]]. In February 1996, Zakayev became commander of the entire Western Group of Defense of Ichkeria. In August 1996, his forces took part in the [[Battle of Grozny (August 1996)|decisive raid on Grozny]],<ref>[https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9907E4DC1431F937A2575BC0A960958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all Risky Walk in Rebel-Held Chechen Capital], ''[[The New York Times]]'', 14 August 1996</ref> where he personally led the attack on the city's central [[railway station]].<ref>[http://www.sptimes.ru/index.php?action_id=2&story_id=8727 Moscow Gives More Evidence On Zakayev] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301121359/http://www.sptimes.ru/index.php?action_id=2&story_id=8727 |date=1 March 2014 }}, ''[[The St. Petersburg Times]]'', 3 December 2002</ref> Zakayev's war service paved his way to Chechen high politics. He became the [[acting president]] [[Zelimkhan Yandarbiyev]]'s advisor for the security matters and the secretary of the Chechen [[Security Council]] and represented Chechnya at the [[Khasav-Yurt Accord|peace talks in Khasav-Yurt]], which brought a peaceful end to the first armed conflict between Moscow and Grozny.

After the war, Zakayev became Chechen [[Deputy Prime Minister]] (in charge of education and culture) and a special envoy of elected [[President of Ichkeria]] [[Aslan Maskhadov]] for relations with Moscow, taking part in the delegation that signed the official Chechen-Russian peace treaty at [[the Kremlin]] in 1997.<ref>[http://www.rferl.org/content/Article/1076423.html Chechnya: The Turning Point That Wasn't], [[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|RFE/RL]], 11 May 2007  {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150823204828/http://www.rferl.org/content/Article/1076423.html |date=23 August 2015 }}</ref> During the interwar period, he opposed the rise of radical Islam in Chechnya and co-authored a book entitled ''[[Wahhabism]] - the Kremlin's remedy against national liberation movements'', alleging an association between [[Islamism|Islamist]] extremism and Soviet global "pro-terrorist" policy and support for dictatorships in the [[Muslim world]]. During the early phases of the [[Second Chechen War]] in 1999-2000, Zakayev commanded Maskhadov's presidential guard; he was also involved in negotiations with [[Russia]]n representatives before and during the resumed hostilities. In 2000, having been wounded in a car accident during [[Battle of Grozny (1999–2000)|the new siege of Grozny]], he left Chechnya for treatment. After this he stayed abroad and became President Maskhadov's most prominent representative in [[Western Europe]], while [[Ilyas Akhmadov]] was the Chechen emissary to the [[United States]].

=== In exile ===

Since January 2002, Zakayev and his immediate family have been residing permanently in the [[United Kingdom]]. On 18 November 2001, Zakayev, officially internationally wanted by Russia, flew from [[Turkey]] to the [[Sheremetyevo International Airport]] near [[Moscow]] to meet the Kremlin's envoy, General [[Viktor Kazantsev]] for the high-level talks since the start of the war.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/1662859.stm Moscow opens Chechnya peace talks], [[BBC News]], 18 November 2001</ref><ref>[http://articles.latimes.com/2001/nov/19/news/mn-5822 Russian, Chechen Rebel Envoy Hold First Talks Since War Began], ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'', 19 November 2001</ref><ref>[https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C05E3D9103BF93AA25752C1A9679C8B63 Kremlin and Rebel Envoys Discuss Peace for Chechnya], ''[[The New York Times]]'', 19 November 2001</ref><ref>[http://edition.cnn.com/2001/WORLD/europe/11/18/russia.chechnya/index.html Russia opens talks with Chechens], [[CNN]], 19 November 2001</ref><ref>[http://www.sptimes.ru/index.php?action_id=2&story_id=5925 Chechnya Peace Talks Get Under Way] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301121404/http://www.sptimes.ru/index.php?action_id=2&story_id=5925 |date=1 March 2014 }}, ''[[The St. Petersburg Times]]'', 20 November 2001</ref> These negotiations were fruitless because Kazantsev demanded a complete [[capitulation (surrender)|capitulation]] of the Chechen side, with the only acceptable topic for the Russian side being the disarmament of Chechen separatists and their re-integration into civilian life.<ref>[http://www.watchdog.cz/?show=000000-000004-000001-000024&lang=1 Long negotiations with unclear results], [[Prague Watchdog]], 16 November 2001</ref> On 18 July 2002, Zakayev also met with the former Secretary of [[Security Council of Russia]] [[Ivan Rybkin]] in [[Zürich]], [[Switzerland]].<ref>[http://english.pravda.ru/main/18/88/353/11763_election.html Prominent Candidates for Russia's Presidency], ''[[Pravda]]'', 12 December 2004</ref>

After receiving [[political asylum]] in Britain in 2003, Zakayev made [[London]] his permanent residence, and he visited several countries (including [[France]], [[Germany]] and [[Poland]]) without being arrested. During the September 2004 [[Beslan school hostage crisis]], Zakayev consented to the request of the civilian negotiators and authorities of [[North Ossetia–Alania]] to fly to Russia to negotiate with the hostage takers. However, the siege ended in bloody confusion just a few hours before this could happen.<ref>[http://www.themoscowtimes.com/stories/2004/09/06/014.html Zakayev Was Asked to Assist in Negotiations at the School] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070327155019/http://www.themoscowtimes.com:80/stories/2004/09/06/014.html |date=27 March 2007 }}, ''[[The Moscow Times]]'', 6 September 2004.  </ref><ref>[http://www.jamestown.org/chechnya_weekly/article.php?articleid=2372350 New Details Emerge on Maskhadov's Bid to Mediate in Beslan], [[The Jamestown Foundation]], 6 January 2006  {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080223150104/http://www.jamestown.org/chechnya_weekly/article.php?articleid=2372350 |date=23 February 2008 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,695816,00.html Communication Breakdown], ''[[Time (magazine)|TIME]]'', 12 September 2004</ref> As an envoy of Maskhadov, he also met in London with the representatives of the [[Union of the Committees of Soldiers' Mothers of Russia]] in February 2005, where they agreed on a peace proposal centred around a gradual cessation of violence by rebels corresponding with the three-week ceasefire unilaterally declared by Maskhadov (who once again called for [[President of Russia]] [[Vladimir Putin]] to negotiate). These efforts were ignored by the Russian government and Maskhadov himself was soon killed in Chechnya.

On 31 October 2007, Zakayev officially distanced himself from the newly resigned Chechen separatist leader [[Doku Umarov]] and the Chechen Islamist [[ideologist]] [[Movladi Udugov]], who together had declared the creation of [[Caucasus Emirate]] in the place of abolished ChRI. In response, Zakayev called for the remnants of the separatist parliament to form the new government and salvage legitimacy.<ref>[http://www.chechenpress.co.uk/english/news/2007/10/31/05.shtml Statement by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728061523/http://www.chechenpress.co.uk/english/news/2007/10/31/05.shtml |date=28 July 2011 }}, [[Chechenpress]], 31 October 2007</ref> Soon after, on 20 November 2007, Zakayev submitted his resignation from the ministerial post, but said this should not be viewed as a departure from "the fight for our independence, our freedom, and for the recognition of our state".<ref>[http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2007/11/3b1b6b92-be6a-4358-afdb-faafd3dd64a4.html Foreign Minister Of Chechen Separatist Government Resigns], [[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|RFE/RL]], 20 November 2007</ref> In November 2007, Zakayev announced that a meeting of parliamentaries remaining loyal to the idea of Ichkeria elected him the Prime Minister of the Chechen [[government in exile]].<ref>[http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/Read.aspx?GUID=17424AFF-8E69-4DE2-AE6E-C84B31DC2240 The Putin-Osama Connection] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090116042850/http://frontpagemag.com:80/Articles/Read.aspx?GUID=17424AFF-8E69-4DE2-AE6E-C84B31DC2240 |date=16 January 2009 }}, [[Frontpage Magazine]], 16 January 2008  </ref> In September 2008, Ramzan Kadyrov said he was now trying to persuade Chechens refugees and exiles to return, including Akhmed Zakayev, whom Kadyrov described as "a valuable artist who would be welcome to return to help revive Chechnya's [[cultural heritage]]."<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7609557.stm US 'provoked Russia-Georgia war'], [[BBC News]], 10 September 2008</ref> Zakayev and [[Alla Dudayeva]], the widow of the first Chechen President Dzhokhar Dudayev, accused Udugov of being a paid [[agent provocateur]] for the Russia's [[Federal Security Service (Russia)|FSB]].<ref>[http://www.rferl.org/content/Article/1079059.html Russia: Is North Caucasus Resistance Still Serious Threat?], [[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|RFE/RL]], 1 November 2007  {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150825012912/http://www.rferl.org/content/Article/1079059.html |date=25 August 2015 }}</ref>

In October 2002, Zakayev organized the [https://web.archive.org/web/20090924011736/http://www.tjetjenien.dk/chechnya/ World Chechen Congress] in [[Copenhagen]], [[Denmark]] (which was attended among others by the former first speaker of the [[State Duma]], [[Ruslan Khasbulatov]]). During the congress, Zakayev was accused by [[Russia]] of involvement in planning of the [[Moscow theater hostage crisis]]. He was detained there on 30 October 2002, under an [[Interpol]] warrant filed by Russia, which named him a suspect in the theater siege.<ref>[http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,386954-1,00.html Russian to the Core], ''[[Time (magazine)|TIME]]'', 3 November 2002</ref><ref name="dissident">[[Alexander Goldfarb (author)|Alex Goldfarb]] and Marina Litvinenko. "[[Death of a Dissident|Death of a Dissident: The Poisoning of Alexander Litvinenko and the Return of the KGB.]]" Free Press, New York, 2007. ISBN 978-1-4165-5165-2.</ref> Zakayev denied involvement in the theater capture. He was held in Denmark for five weeks and then released due to lack of [[evidence]], as Russia's formal [[extradition]] request did not include any evidence linking him to the siege.<ref name="dissident"/><ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/2391629.stm Russia pushes for Chechen extradition], [[BBC News]], 2 November 2002</ref><ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/2539567.stm Denmark frees top Chechen envoy], [[BBC News]], 3 December 2002</ref><ref>[http://www.sptimes.ru/index.php?action_id=2&story_id=8633 Zakayev Evidence On Shaky Ground] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140727204358/http://www.sptimes.ru/index.php?action_id=2&story_id=8633 |date=27 July 2014 }}, ''[[The St. Petersburg Times]]'', 19 November 2002</ref>

On 7 December 2002, Zakayev returned to the UK but the British authorities arrested him briefly at [[London Heathrow Airport]]; he was released on 50,000 [[Pound sterling|GBP]] [[bail]], which was paid by British actress [[Vanessa Redgrave]], his friend who had travelled with him from Denmark. He was accused by Russian authorities of 13 criminal acts<ref name="bbc_accused"/> Zakayev welcomed the British [[deportation]] hearings as an opportunity to put his case before an international public.<ref>[http://www.iwpr.net/index.php?apc_state=hen&s=o&o=p=crs&l=EN&s=f&o=161633 Zakayev Welcomes Deportation Trial], [[Institute for War and Peace Reporting]], 21 February 2003</ref> All accusations were proven to be false.<ref name="dissident"/> One accusation, cutting fingers of a suspected FSB informer Ivan Solovyov, was based on a written testimony by Zakayev's former bodyguard, Duk-Vakha Dushuyev, provided by Russian authorities; however, it appeared that Solovyev had lost his fingers much earlier to [[frostbite]]. Dushuyev himself has escaped from Russia and then in his statement claimed that he was tortured at a Russian army base with [[Electric shock torture|electric shocks]] to extort the [[false testimony]] to be used against Zakayev.<ref name="dissident"/><ref>[http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/key-witness-in-chechen-extradition-case-was-tortured-587935.html Key witness in Chechen extradition case 'was tortured'], ''[[The Independent]]'', 25 July 2003 {{Dead link|date=May 2014}}</ref><ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/newsnight/3112905.stm Evidence gathered by torture], [[BBC News]], 31 July 2003</ref><ref>[http://www.sptimes.ru/index.php?action_id=2&story_id=10890 Kadyrov Accused of Intimidation] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508031531/http://www.sptimes.ru/index.php?action_id=2&story_id=10890 |date=8 May 2014 }},''[[The St. Petersburg Times]]'', 9 September 2003</ref> In another accusation, Father Sergei, one of two [[Russian Orthodox Church]] priests allegedly murdered by Zakayev, turned out to be in fact still alive. The witness [[Reverend]] Filipp, allegedly kidnapped by Zakayev in 1996, also refuted his supposed testimony and even denounced Russian authorities for "implicating the Church in politics". Leading Russian [[human rights]] activist [[Sergei Kovalev]] told the court Zakayev would be at risk of death in Russian captivity (Kovalev spoke about two high-profile Chechen prisoners, field commanders [[Salman Raduyev]] and [[Turpal-Ali Atgeriyev]], who died soon after being jailed in Russia, and of another, parliamentary speaker [[Ruslan Alikhadzhiyev]], who has "disappeared" without trace after his arrest in 2000).<ref name=mrY/> According to [[Alexander Goldfarb (microbiologist)|Alexander Goldfarb]], one of the defence's most important arguments was the 2001 meeting between Zakayev and General Kazantsev, since this meeting took place when the Chechen envoy had already been put by Russia on the international wanted list. At the time of the meeting Kremlin's [[spokesman]] on Chechnya [[Sergei Yastrzhembsky]] said on television that Russian government had no grievances against Zakayev.<ref name="mrY">[http://www.gazeta.ru/2003/07/01/Zakayevsaved.shtml Zakayev saved by Mr Y], [[Gazeta.Ru]], 2003/07/01</ref> Therefore, on 13 November 2003, [[Judge]] [[Timothy Workman]] rejected the Russian request, deciding that it was politically motivated and that Zakayev would be at risk of [[torture]] in the case of "unjust and oppressive" extradition.<ref name="autogenerated2003"/><ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/chechnya/Story/0,2763,1084153,00.html Judge rejects bid to extradite Chechen rebel leader], ''[[The Guardian]]'', 13 November 2003</ref><ref>[https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C06E5DF1538F937A25752C1A9659C8B63&n=Top%2FReference%2FTimes%20Topics%2FSubjects%2FK%2FKidnapping Russia Loses Fight Over Chechen's Extradition], ''[[The New York Times]]'', 29 November 2008</ref> The judge also said the crimes which involved Zakayev allegedly using armed force against combatants were not extraditable because they took place in the situation of [[civil war|internal armed conflict]].<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2003/11/14/nzakay14.xml Chechen rebel defeats Putin's extradition plea], ''[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]'', 13 November 2003</ref><ref>[http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/russian-request-to-extradite-chechen-exile-is-turned-down-735679.html Russian request to extradite Chechen exile is turned down] {{dead link|date=April 2017|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}, ''[[The Independent]]'', 14 November 2003  </ref> Russian authorities in turn responded by accusing the court of double standards.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/3269385.stm UK accused of hypocrisy on terror], [[BBC News]], 13 November 2003</ref> On 29 November 2003, it was announced that Zakayev had been granted political asylum in the UK.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3249474.stm Chechen envoy granted UK asylum], [[BBC News]], 9 November 2003</ref>

In London, Zakayev became friends with the Russian dissident and former FSB officer [[Alexander Litvinenko]], later [[Alexander Litvinenko poisoning|murdered by radioactive poisoning]] in November 2006;<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/12/08/npoison108.xml Litvinenko laid to rest in historic Highgate], ''[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]'', 08/12/2006</ref> Zakayev accused the Russian President Putin of ordering the death of Litvinenko. In 2007, British police warned Zakayev that there was an increased threat to his personal security shortly before the alleged attempt to kill Berezovsky by the FSB-connected Chechen gangster [[Movladi Atlangeriyev]] (or "Mr A").<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2007/jul/22/russia.world Police feared assassination for two Russian dissidents], ''[[The Guardian]]'', 22 July 2007</ref> According to the [[KGB]] [[defection|defector]] [[Oleg Gordievsky]] in 2008, Zakayev was placed #2 on the FSB [[assassination]] list, between Berezovsky and Litvinenko.<ref>[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=557508&in_page_id=1770 Police probe 'new KGB poison attack' as defector Gordievsky is found unconscious in Surrey home], ''[[Daily Mail]]'', 6 April 2008</ref> In January 2008, Zakayev's name showed up on the purported hit list of Ramzan Kadyrov's enemies abroad to be killed, which was published on the [[Internet]] following the murder of the Chechen dissident [[Umar Israilov]] (a former bodyguard of Kadyrov who was shot dead after receiving asylum in [[Austria]]).<ref>[http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24961179-2703,00.html Slain exile's family warns of death list], ''[[The Australian]]'', 26 January 2009  {{dead link|date=May 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> He was arrested by the Polish police during his visit to Poland on 17 September 2010.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11339630 Chechen separatist leader Zakayev 'arrested' in Poland], [[BBC News]], 17 September 2010</ref> He was released the same day.

== Invitation to return to Chechnya ==

On 11 February 2009, [[Ramzan Kadyrov]] said he personally invited Zakayev to return to Chechnya if he does not want to be "used by special services and other forces against Russia". At the same time, Russia's ambassador in London, said Britain had turned into a "sanctuary" for Russia's [[fugitives]], including Zakayev, still-wanted on terrorism charges.<ref>[http://www.themoscowtimes.com/article/1010/42/374439.htm Kadyrov Invites Zakayev To Return to Chechnya] {{webarchive |url=https://archive.is/20121203032822/http://www.themoscowtimes.com/article/1010/42/374439.htm |date=3 December 2012 }}, ''[[The Moscow Times]]'', 11 February 2009  </ref> In an interview for [[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]], Zakayev claimed to rebuff the Chechen president's reported offer and said that Kadyrov was only following the Kremlin's orders;<ref>[http://www.rferl.org/content/Zakaev_Says_Chechen_President_Cannot_Guarantee_Anything/1491248.html Zakayev Rebuffs Chechen President's Reported Offer], [[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|RFE/RL]], 11 February 2009</ref> he also reinstates this stance two days later in the interview for the [[BBC Russian Service]].<ref>{{ru icon}} [http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/russian/russia/newsid_7881000/7881378.stm Закаев говорит, что не намерен возвращаться], [[BBC Russian Service]], 10 February 2009</ref><ref>[http://www.chechenpress.co.uk/content/2009/02/12/press01.shtml Zakayev says that he is not intended to return], [[Chechenpress]], 12 February 2009</ref> Kadyrov has said that "He [Zakayev] is the only man on the part of Ichkeria who I would like to bring back home. I do not know what the competent bodies think, but I believe he did not commit serious crimes."<ref name="interfax_kadyrov">{{cite web|url=http://www.interfax.com/17/504439/Interview.aspx |title=Kadyrov favors return of ex-separatist emissary Zakayev to Chechnya |year=2009 |publisher=Interfax |accessdate=23 September 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090819031645/http://www.interfax.com/17/504439/Interview.aspx |archivedate=19 August 2009 }}</ref>

Nevertheless, on 17 February, the Russian state agency [[RIA Novosti]] agency wrote that Zakayev allegedly announced his intentions to return to Chechnya and "work for a lasting peace" in the republic.<ref>[http://en.rian.ru/russia/20090217/120189989.html Exiled Chechen Zakayev hopes to return to motherland], [[RIA Novosti]], 17 February 2009</ref> According to the Caucasus Emirate's mouthpiece [[Kavkaz Center]], Zakayev, who may be granted amnesty, stated his readiness to return and "contribute to a long-term peace in the region" in an interview for [[Ekho Moskvy]] on the same day.<ref>[http://www.kavkaz.tv/eng/content/2009/02/17/10550.shtml According to Zakayev, Kadyrov can ''unite the Chechen society''] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120218093601/http://www.kavkaz.tv/eng/content/2009/02/17/10550.shtml |date=18 February 2012 }}, [[Kavkaz Center]], 17 February 2009  </ref> Kavkaz Center - which supports Umarov - has called Zakayev "the head of a telephone government," referring to the fact that Zakayev has little influence on the insurgents on the ground.<ref>[http://www.russiaprofile.org/page.php?pageid=Politics&articleid=a1248887565 A Never-Ending War]</ref>

On 23 August 2009, and in a controversial move, he was reportedly dismissed as prime minister by the Chairman of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria parliament in exile, as he "transgressed his mandate and recognized the legitimacy of the Kremlin’s puppet regime",<ref>[http://www.waynakh.com/eng/2009/08/saralyapov-accused-and-dismissed-to-zakayev/ Saralyapov Accused and Dismissed to Zakayev] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029200058/http://www.waynakh.com/eng/2009/08/saralyapov-accused-and-dismissed-to-zakayev/ |date=29 October 2013 }} Waynakh.com, 23 August 2009  </ref> and shortly afterwards, he was [[Capital punishment|sentenced to death]] by [[Sharia]] Court of the [[Caucasus Emirate]], because he "professes democratic religion, propagates secularism, and prefers the laws established by men to the Shari'a law of Almighty and Great [[Allah]]."<ref>[http://www.rferl.org/content/North_Caucasus_Resistance_Sentences_Chechen_Leader_To_Death/1807205.html North Caucasus Resistance Sentences Chechen Leader To Death] [[Radio Free Europe]], 25 August 2009</ref>

== See also ==

* [[Chechenpress]]
* [[Lopota Gorge hostage crisis]]
== References ==
{{reflist|2}}

== External links ==

* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/today/reports/archive/international/zakayev.shtml Who is Akhmed Zakayev?], ''[[BBC Radio 4]]''
* [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/sep/12/russia Profile: Akhmed Zakayev, Chechnya's voice on UK stage], ''[[The Guardian]]'', September 2008
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070701000826/http://www.amnesty.org/russia/zakayev_case.html The Zakayev Case] at [[Amnesty International]]
* {{Worldcat id|lccn-n2005-58561}}
* {{NYTtopic|people/z/akhmed_zakayev}}
* {{ru icon}} [http://zakaev.ru/ Охота на Закаева] (about the British extradition case)

; Articles

* [http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/corin-redgrave-a-great-actor-hled-prisoner-by-russias-dirty-war-603020.html Corin Redgrave: A great actor, held prisoner by Russia's dirty war]{{dead link|date=April 2016}}, ''[[The Independent]]'', 2 November 2002
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/2375233.stm Zakayev: Key Chechen figure], [[BBC News]], 6 December 2002
* [http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/chechen-actor-who-took-up-the-gun-to-fight-for-freedom-610181.html Chechen actor who took up the gun to fight for freedom]{{dead link|date=April 2016}}, ''[[The Independent]]'', 7 December 2002
* [https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D0CE2DD1F3BF93AA35751C1A9649C8B63 Chechen in Extradition Dispute: Criminal or Peacemaker?], ''[[The New York Times]]'', 9 December 2002
* [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2002/dec/13/russia.chechnya Let Mr Zakayev stay; Chechen leader should not be extradited], ''[[The Guardian]]'', 13 December 2002
* [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2002/dec/22/chechnya.johnsweeney Sharing a glass with the 'international terrorist'], ''[[The Guardian]]'', 22 December 2002
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/breakfast_with_frost/2629171.stm Breakfast with Frost | Redgrave Zakayev], [[BBC News]], 5 January 2003
* [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/article858946.ece?token=null&offset=0&page=1 Why cast me as a criminal?], ''[[The Times]]'', 31 January 2003
* [http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/leading-articles/the-courts-tell-the-truth-about-russian-democracy-that-mr-blair-dare-not-730405.html The courts tell the truth about Russian democracy that Mr Blair dare not]{{dead link|date=April 2016}}, ''[[The Independent]]'', 14 November 2003
* [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/sep/07/russia.chechnya2 Beslan was barbaric - so has been Russia's reign of terror in Chechnya], ''[[The Guardian]]'', 7 September 2004
* [http://www.chechenpress.co.uk/english/news/2006/10/02.shtml More false testimonies against Zakayev being extorted by torture], [[Chechenpress]], 6 October 2006
* [http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/poisoned-spy-became-muslim-on-deathbed-says-chechen-dissident-427724.html Poisoned spy became Muslim on deathbed, says Chechen dissident], ''[[The Independent]]'', 9 December 2006
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/6175627.stm I will not be silenced, says Russia critic], [[BBC News]], 14 December 2006
* [http://www.russiatoday.com/news/news/2764 Akhmed Zakayev may face serious troubles], [[Russia Today]], 17 February 2007
* [http://www.cacianalyst.org/?q=node/4776/print Umarov's Caucasian Emirate: Where for now for Akhmed Zakayev?], [[Central Asia-Caucasus Institute]], 01/23/2008
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090502012555/http://www.sptimes.ru/index.php?action_id=2&story_id=26072 Mysterious Shifts in Chechnya], ''[[The St. Petersburg Times]]'', 23 May 2008 (by [[Thomas de Waal]])
* [http://www.watchdog.cz/?show=000000-000004-000001-000254&lang=1 Zakayev's appearance on the Chechen stage indefinitely postponed], [[Prague Watchdog]], February 17h 2009

{{Leaders of Chechnya}}
{{Chechen wars}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Zakayev, Akhmed}}
[[Category:1959 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Almaty Region]]
[[Category:Chechen field commanders]]
[[Category:Candidates for President of Chechnya]]
[[Category:Deputy prime ministers of Chechnya]]
[[Category:Fugitives wanted by Russia]]
[[Category:Moscow theater hostage crisis]]
[[Category:People of the Chechen wars]]
[[Category:Politicians of Ichkeria]]
[[Category:Prime ministers of Chechnya]]
[[Category:Chechen guerrillas]]
[[Category:Chechen nationalists]]
[[Category:Chechen warlords]]
[[Category:People sentenced to death in absentia]]