20:06, 22 August 2023

Chechnya: video with Zakaev's nephew is propaganda element

Khusein Zakaev. Screenshot of the photo from Akhmed Dudaev's Telegram channel https://t.me/akhmeddudaev/2144

The nephew of Akhmed Zakaev, who had been sent to the special military operation (SMO) zone, has criticized his uncle, who supports Ukraine.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Khusein Zakaev was sent as part of a group of 200 "guilty people," his relative, Shamil Zakaev, has noted.

Akhmed Zakaev was a special envoy of Aslan Maskhadov in the West (in 2001), Prime Minister of the self-proclaimed Chechen Republic of Ichkeria (in 2007-2009). He was put on the international wanted list on charges of terrorism and received political asylum in the United Kingdom.

"I came here of my own free will, because many of my friends, relatives and acquaintances were here [in the SMO zone]. My uncle is on the other side. He is fighting against our people," Khusein Zakaev said in the video, the “Grozny Inform” reports.

The Chechens fighting on the side of Ukraine against Russia call themselves Ichkerians. Several formations of Ichkerians are participating in hostilities in Ukraine.

Akhmed Zakaev’s nephew “as part of the ‘Akhmat’ Special Forces, takes part in the SMO in Ukraine,” the “Chechnya Today” outlet has reported, citing Khusein’s words about his uncle: “He, of course, states that he is fighting for the freedom of the Chechen people, but I disagree."

"It turned out to be another cheap propaganda trick ... Residents of Chechnya are well aware of how such staged videos are filmed and what the words about the ‘voluntary’ participation in the SMO are worth of, as well as blaming their relatives on camera," a reader of the "Caucasian Knot" with the nickname anton has written.

Akhmed Zakaev has repeatedly informed about pressure on his relatives living in Chechnya. Thus, in 2021 and 2022, Ali Zakaev, his brother, was forced to record videos criticizing Akhmed; and some other relatives were detained.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on August 20, 2023 at 05:11 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.