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| '''Doku (Dokka) Khamatovich Umarov''' ({{lang-ce| Iумар КIант Доккa}}; {{lang-ru|Доку Хаматович Умаров}}; he also uses the ] name of "Dokka Abu Usman";<ref>, ], 14 May 2009</ref>) (born April 13, 1964) is the former ] ] of the ] (ChRI) between 2006 and 2007 and currently the ] of the ] (]) since 2007 |
'''Doku (Dokka) Khamatovich Umarov''' ({{lang-ce| Iумар КIант Доккa}}; {{lang-ru|Доку Хаматович Умаров}}; he also uses the ] name of "Dokka Abu Usman";<ref>, ], 14 May 2009</ref>) (born April 13, 1964) is the former ] ] of the urecognized ] (ChRI) between 2006 and 2007 and currently the self-proclaimed ] of the ]n ] (as the virtual ] of ]) since 2007. | ||
| ==Early life== | ==Early life== | ||
| Line 31: | Line 31: | ||
| Umarov was in ] when the ] broke out in December 1994 and returned to Chechnya to fulfill what he called his ] duty to fight. Umarov initially served under the command of ]. In 1996, due to disagreements with Gelayev, he left the unit and joined the command of ], who had also left Gelayev's ranks, now heading the special forces unit ''Borz'' ("Wolf"). In the course of the war, in which his unit was expanded from a battalion to regiment, Umarov was promoted to the rank of ] and won two prestigious awards for valor: for his bravery he was decorated with ]'s two highest medals: ''Kioman Syi'' (Honour of the Nation) and ''Kyoman Turpal'' (Hero of the Nation).<ref name="statement">, ], 21 June 2006</ref><ref name="fuller">, ], June 21, 2006</ref> | Umarov was in ] when the ] broke out in December 1994 and returned to Chechnya to fulfill what he called his ] duty to fight. Umarov initially served under the command of ]. In 1996, due to disagreements with Gelayev, he left the unit and joined the command of ], who had also left Gelayev's ranks, now heading the special forces unit ''Borz'' ("Wolf"). In the course of the war, in which his unit was expanded from a battalion to regiment, Umarov was promoted to the rank of ] and won two prestigious awards for valor: for his bravery he was decorated with ]'s two highest medals: ''Kioman Syi'' (Honour of the Nation) and ''Kyoman Turpal'' (Hero of the Nation).<ref name="statement">, ], 21 June 2006</ref><ref name="fuller">, ], June 21, 2006</ref> | ||
| Following the ] that ended the first Chechen war in 1996 and the ] of Aslan Maskhadov as president in January 1997, Umarov was named by Maskhadov to head the Chechen ]. In that capacity, he intervened in July 1998 to quash an armed clash between moderates and ] in the city of ].<ref name="fuller" /> He was however forced to resign |
Following the ] that ended the first Chechen war in 1996 and the ] of Aslan Maskhadov as president in January 1997, Umarov was named by Maskhadov to head the Chechen ]. In that capacity, he intervened in July 1998 to quash an armed clash between moderates and ] in the city of ].<ref name="fuller" /> He was however forced to resign when the Council was disbanded, according to some sources because of persistent rumors of Umarov's participation in ]-taking "business".<ref name="prague"/> In 1999, Russian sources accused him of the alleged involvement in the ] of General ], the Russian envoy to Chechnya. | ||
| ==Second Chechen War== | ==Second Chechen War== | ||
| Umarov began the ] in September 1999 as a field commander, again working closely with Ruslan Gelayev ] |
Umarov began the ] in September 1999 as a field commander, again working closely with Ruslan Gelayev ].<ref name="james">{{cite news |author = Andrew McGregor |url = http://www.jamestown.org/publications_details.php?volume_id=416&issue_id=3576&article_id=2370638 |title = Dokku Umarov: the next in line |publisher = ] |date = January 6 2006 |accessdate = 2006-08-19 }}</ref> In early 2000 Umarov sustained a serious wound to his face as he was leaving a surrounded Grozny and was hospitalized in a third country alongside Zakayev.<ref name="prague" /><ref name="fuller" /> According to the sources in the ]n ], Umarov led then a force of 130-150 fighters in Georgia's ] before his return to Chechnya in the summer of 2002. | ||
| Back in Chechnya, Umarov became the replacement of |
Back in Chechnya, Umarov became the replacement of Isa Munayev on the post of the commander of Southwestern Front, the rebel military region southwest of Grozny that bordered on Georgia and the Russian republic of ].<ref name="bbc">{{cite news |url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3632494.stm |title = Profiles: Key siege suspects |publisher = ] |date = 7 September, 2004 |accessdate = 2006-06-21}}</ref> He was seen as having been an ally of ]-based ].<ref name="bbc" /><ref name="ft">{{cite news |author = Neil Buckley |url = http://www.ft.com/cms/s/930084cc-fee5-11da-84f3-0000779e2340,_i_rssPage=ff3cbaf6-3024-11da-ba9f-00000e2511c8.html |title = Russian troops kill Chechen rebel leader |publisher = '']'' |date = June 18, 2006 |accessdate = 2006-06-18}}</ref> In 2003 Gelayev led his men in the heavy fighting around ] and according to the Russian sources ordered the bombing of the Ingushetia ] headquarters in ] and the attack on electrical infrastructure facalities in ] in ]. After death of Gelayev in February 2004, many of his remaining men joined Umarov's command. The next year, together with Basayev, Umarov was one of the leaders of ] into neighbouring Ingushetia in the summer of 2004.<ref name="james" /> | ||
| }}</ref> In 2003 Gelayev led his men in the heavy fighting around ] and according to the Russian sources ordered the bombing of the Ingushetia ] headquarters in ] and the attack on electrical infrastructure facalities in ] in ]. After death of Gelayev in February 2004, many of his remaining men joined Umarov's command. The next year, together with Basayev, Umarov was one of the leaders of ] into neighbouring Ingushetia in the summer of 2004.<ref name="james" /> | |||
| During the September 2004 ] Umarov was repeatedly identified by Russian security services as the leader of the hostage takers,<ref name="bbc" /> a claim that has never been substantiated in any fashion (Umarov also condemned the Beslan act and distanced himself from terrorism).<ref name="rferl" /> Through 2005, there were numerous incorrect reports of Umarov's death or grave injury. In January, he was reported having been killed in a gun battle with the Russian special forces near the Georgian border. In March, he was reported as having been seriously wounded by a ] assassination team. In September, the ] announced it had found "Umarov's grave" and the following month in October he was once again falsely reported dead in the ] in ].<ref name="james" /> | During the September 2004 ] Umarov was repeatedly identified by Russian security services as the leader of the hostage takers,<ref name="bbc" /> a claim that has never been substantiated in any fashion (Umarov also condemned the Beslan act and distanced himself from terrorism).<ref name="rferl" /> Through 2005, there were numerous incorrect reports of Umarov's death or grave injury. In January, he was reported having been killed in a gun battle with the Russian special forces near the Georgian border. In March, he was reported as having been seriously wounded by a ] assassination team. In September, the ] announced it had found "Umarov's grave" and the following month in October he was once again falsely reported dead in the ] in ].<ref name="james" /> | ||
| In April 2005, Russian special forces destroyed a small guerrilla unit during a battle in Grozny after receiving intelligence that Umarov was with them, yet he was not found among the dead.<ref name="james"/> In May 2005, Umarov was reportedly seriously hurt by an ]. He was said to have lost a leg in the blast, but turned out to be only lightly injured and participated in an attack on ] in August.<ref name="prague" /> In May 2006, Chechen police discovered his headquarters bunker in the centre of the village of |
In April 2005, Russian special forces destroyed a small guerrilla unit during a battle in Grozny after receiving intelligence that Umarov was with them, yet he was not found among the dead.<ref name="james"/> In May 2005, Umarov was reportedly seriously hurt by an ]. He was said to have lost a leg in the blast, but turned out to be only lightly injured and participated in an attack on ] in August.<ref name="prague" /> In May 2006, Chechen police discovered his headquarters bunker in the centre of the village of Assinovskaya on the border with Ingushetia, but Umarov managed to escape in time.<ref>, '']'', May 15, 2006</ref> By this time he had become the ] of the separatist government. | ||
| ==Presidency== | ==Presidency== | ||
| As vice-president, Umarov was automatically elevated to the position as supreme leader of the ChRI following the |
As vice-president, Umarov was automatically elevated to the position as supreme leader of the ChRI following the death of ] ] on June 17, 2006.<ref name="guardian">{{cite news |author = Nick Paton Walsh |url = http://www.guardian.co.uk/chechnya/Story/0,,1800657,00.html?gusrc=rss |title = Chechnya rebels appoint new leader after killing |publisher = '']'' |date = June 19, 2006 |accessdate = 2006-06-18 }}</ref> Having become president, Umarov also held such posts as the head of the ]; ] of the ''Madzhlis Shura'' of the ]; Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria; and finally, Emir of the '']'' of the Caucasus. In his first published comments since assuming the role of president, Umarov vowed to expand the conflict to "many regions of Russia", praised his predecessor Sadulayev, indicated that a special unit was being formed to fight Chechnya's "most odious traitors" (a remark believed to refer to the present federal ]) and stressed that the Chechen rebels would attack only ] and ] targets within Russia, including in the newly-declared ] and ] Fronts.<ref name="umarov">{{cite news |url = http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2006/6/2d4d6ab5-52a8-4b89-aae4-e2b143019a88.html |title = Chechnya: New Separatist Leader Vows To Take Fight To Russia |publisher = ] |date = June 23, 2006 |accessdate = 2006-06-29 }}</ref><ref>], ''Putin: Russia's choice'', 2007 (p.238)</ref> | ||
| On June 27, 2006, Umarov appointed ] to the position of vice-president of the separatist government, simultaneously releasing him from his position as first ].<ref name="fuller" /> Ichkeria's ], |
On June 27, 2006, Umarov appointed ] to the position of vice-president of the separatist government, simultaneously releasing him from his position as first ].<ref name="fuller" /> Ichkeria's ], Usman Firzauli, said that the appointment was meant to force Russia into political negotiations, for if they killed Umarov, then the radical Basayev would have become the official leader of the rebel movement.<ref name="mite">{{cite news |author = Valentinas Mite |url = http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2006/6/7ad90456-bcd1-4691-9d55-9d43f1756327.html |title = Chechnya: Basayev Appointment Sends Signal To Russia And Beyond |publisher = ] |date = June 28, 2006 |accessdate = 2006-06-29 }}</ref> However, Basayev was killed soon afterward, in July 2006. On March 19, 2007, rebel ] website reported that Umarov has appointed ] as the new vice-president of the ChRI.<ref></ref> In October 2007, Umarov made another controversial move when he posthumously restored the disgraced notorious field commander Arbi Barayev to the rank of brigadier general (stripped of him by Maskhadov in 1998). | ||
| On August 18, 2006, Umarov was falsely announced to have surrendered at the Gudermes residence of ], the pro-Russian Chechen leader, under a Russian ] provision enacted after Basayev's death. However, Russian authorities later reversed it to a claim of surrender of Umarov's "younger brother and former head of body guards". Dokku Umarov maintains he has no younger brother and the later reports identified the allegedly surrendered person as his older brother Akhmad instead; for their part, the Chechen separatists said that the older Umarov disappeared two years before and claimed that the presentation of the Chechen leader's brother was "a ] stunt".<ref name="ft">{{cite news |author = Sergei Markedonov |url = http://www.russiaprofile.org/politics/2006/8/25/4288.wbp |title = An Imperfect Amnesty |publisher = Russia Profile |date = August 25, 2006 |accessdate = 2006-11-06 }}</ref> Umarov himself has previously called the amnesty as "a hopeless attempt by the Kremlin regime to shroud the real situation... in lies."<ref> |
On August 18, 2006, Umarov was falsely announced to have surrendered at the Gudermes residence of ], the pro-Russian Chechen leader, under a Russian ] provision enacted after Basayev's death. However, Russian authorities later reversed it to a claim of surrender of Umarov's "younger brother and former head of body guards". Dokku Umarov maintains he has no younger brother and the later reports identified the allegedly surrendered person as his older brother Akhmad instead; for their part, the Chechen separatists said that the older Umarov disappeared two years before and claimed that the presentation of the Chechen leader's brother was "a ] stunt".<ref name="ft">{{cite news |author = Sergei Markedonov |url = http://www.russiaprofile.org/politics/2006/8/25/4288.wbp |title = An Imperfect Amnesty |publisher = Russia Profile |date = August 25, 2006 |accessdate = 2006-11-06 }}</ref> Umarov himself has previously called the amnesty as "a hopeless attempt by the Kremlin regime to shroud the real situation... in lies."<ref>{{cite news |url = http://en.wikinews.org/Chechen_rebels_surrender |title = Chechen rebels surrender |publisher = WikiNews |date = August 18, 2006 |accessdate = 2006-08-18}}</ref> | ||
| On November 23, 2006, large numbers of Russian Defense Ministry and the FSB troops, without the participation of Chechen police,<ref name="jamestown">{{cite web |url=http://www.jamestown.org/publications_details.php?volume_id=416&issue_id=3942&article_id=2371692 |title= |
On November 23, 2006, large numbers of Russian Defense Ministry and the FSB troops, without the participation of Chechen police,<ref name="jamestown">{{cite web |url=http://www.jamestown.org/publications_details.php?volume_id=416&issue_id=3942&article_id=2371692 |title= Umarov reportedly wounded |accessdate=2007-02-27 |work=], Chechnya Weekly, Volume 7, Issue 46 (November 30, 2006) }}</ref> supported by helicopters and artillery barrages,<ref name="scot">{{cite news |author = |url = http://news.scotsman.com/international.cfm?id=1734432006 |title = Russian artillery tries to flush out Chechen rebel chief |publisher = '']'' |date = November 23, 2006 |accessdate = 2006-11-23}}</ref> were reported to have surrounded Umarov and his forces in a forest near the village of Yandi-Katar in the ], on the internal border between Ingushetia and Chechnya. According to '']'' sources, Umarov was wounded but managed to escape the pursuit. He then spent the winter months travelling across the mountains to the nearby republic of ] to meet with local '']''s fighting Russian authorities in the region and consolidate the ], the rebel movement set up by the late President Abdul-Khalim Sadulayev. In April 2007, a group of fighters personally led by Umarov ] near Shatoy. | ||
| ==Leader of the Caucasus Emirate== | ==Leader of the Caucasus Emirate== | ||
| On October 31, 2007, the separatist news agency ] reported that Umarov had proclaimed ''Imarat Kavkaz'' (]) and declared himself its ], thereby converting the ] into a '']'' (province) of the new emirate. The move to establish the Emirate was quickly condemned by Akhmed Zakayev, by then until recently Umarov's own minister of foreign affairs. Zakayev, living in exile in ], called upon all separatist fighters and politicians to pledge allegiance directly to the Chechen ] in an attempt to isolate his former subordinate from power.<ref>, ], October 31, 2007</ref> Zakayev expressed regret that Umarov had caved in to pressure from "]" and committed a "crime" that undermines the legitimacy of the ChRI. In a one-day period two former senior field commanders, Isa Munayev and Sultan Arsayev, issued statements publicly siding with Zakayev and distancing themselves from Umarov.<ref>, ], November 01, 2007</ref> However in Chechnya, |
On October 31, 2007, the separatist news agency ] reported that Umarov had proclaimed ''Imarat Kavkaz'' (]) and at once declared himself its ], thereby converting the ] into a '']'' (province) of the new emirate. The move to establish the Emirate was quickly condemned by Akhmed Zakayev, by then until recently Umarov's own minister of foreign affairs. Zakayev, living in exile in ], called upon all separatist fighters and politicians to pledge allegiance directly to the Chechen ] in an attempt to isolate his former subordinate from power.<ref>, ], October 31, 2007</ref> Zakayev expressed regret that Umarov had caved in to pressure from "]" and committed a "crime" that undermines the legitimacy of the ChRI. In a one-day period two former senior field commanders, Isa Munayev and Sultan Arsayev, issued statements publicly siding with Zakayev and distancing themselves from Umarov.<ref>, ], November 01, 2007</ref> However, all of the prominent active field commanders in Chechnya, with the sole exception of Amir Mansur (Arbi Evmirzayev), had sided with Dokka Umarov on the decision.<ref>Ingush Rebels Extend an Olive Branch to Sufis, ], September 25, 2009</ref> | ||
| Famous ] journalist ] reported in November 2007 that Umarov had again travelled to the Republic of Kabardino-Balkaria to rest and recuperate for the winter months. Babitsky said that Umarov was in a poor state of health after taking a ] wound in the jaw (it is possible Umarov received the wound in 2006 when he broke out of a Russian encirclement on the Chechen/Ingush border) and after his leg was injured in a mine explosion. Pro-Moscow Chechen president Ramzan Kadyrov offered him medical care if Umarov were to "beg for forgiveness".<ref>, ], November 15, 2007</ref> | Famous ] journalist ] reported in November 2007 that Umarov had again travelled to the Republic of Kabardino-Balkaria to rest and recuperate for the winter months. Babitsky said that Umarov was in a poor state of health after taking a ] wound in the jaw (it is possible Umarov received the wound in 2006 when he broke out of a Russian encirclement on the Chechen/Ingush border) and after his leg was injured in a mine explosion. Pro-Moscow Chechen president Ramzan Kadyrov offered him medical care if Umarov were to "beg for forgiveness".<ref>, ], November 15, 2007</ref> | ||
| In March 2008, Chechnya's prosecutor, |
In March 2008, Chechnya's chief prosecutor, Valery Kuznetsov, has launched a ] against Umarov for "inciting inter-ethnic hatred and calling for the overthrow of the Russian government on the ]" (ironically, the penalty for this is only a ] of up to 500,000 ]s and a ] on holding management positions). According to ''Kommersant'', Umarov was earlier on Russia's wanted list but all the previous (much more serious) charges against him were suspended in 2005. The paper also noted that the ChRI government in exile is investigating Umarov for "attempting to liquidate the independent Chechen state" by declaring the creation of a Caucasus Emirate.<ref>, ], April 3, 2008</ref> | ||
| On May 9, 2009, Ramzan Kadyrov announced that Umarov has been severely wounded once again and four of his bodyguards has been killed in an operation commanded by Kadyrov's cousin and deputy ] ( |
On May 9, 2009, Ramzan Kadyrov announced that Umarov has been reportedly severely wounded once again (in an interview conducted in July 2009 with ] Umarov maintained that the last time he was wounded was in 1995 during the First Chechen War) and four of his bodyguards has been killed in an operation commanded by Kadyrov's cousin and deputy ] (one official even claimed that Umarov had even been "killed"),<ref>, ], 09 June 2009</ref> but this was denied by the rebel sources.<ref>, ], 5 June 2009</ref> On January 19, 2010, Kadyrov announced that he had launched an another Delimkhanov-led special operation in Chechnya’s mountains to find and eliminate Umarov. | ||
| In an interview conducted in July 2009 with ] Umarov maintained that the last time he was wounded was in 1995 during the First Chechen War. | |||
| ==Beliefs and views== | ==Beliefs and views== | ||
| In the beginning Umarov maintained that he practiced traditional Chechen ] of the ], as opposed to religious radicalism of the "]".<ref name="rferl">{{cite news |author = Andrei Babitsky |url = http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2005/7/C7FD0FF2-647F-42EA-827B-42812C1E8A0A.html |title = Russia: RFE/RL Interviews Chechen Field Commander Umarov |publisher = ] |date = July 28, 2005 |accessdate = 2006-06-19 }}</ref> Responding to Russian claims that he was an Islamic extremist, he said: "Before the start of the first war in 1994, when the occupation began and I understood that war was inevitable, I came here as a patriot. I'm not even sure I knew how to pray properly then. It's ridiculous to say I'm a Wahhabist or a radical Muslim." |
In the beginning Umarov maintained that he practiced traditional Chechen ] of the ], as opposed to religious radicalism of the "]".<ref name="rferl">{{cite news |author = Andrei Babitsky |url = http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2005/7/C7FD0FF2-647F-42EA-827B-42812C1E8A0A.html |title = Russia: RFE/RL Interviews Chechen Field Commander Umarov |publisher = ] |date = July 28, 2005 |accessdate = 2006-06-19 }}</ref> Responding to Russian claims that he was an Islamic extremist, he descriped himself as a "traditionalist", and said: "Before the start of the first war in 1994, when the occupation began and I understood that war was inevitable, I came here as a patriot. I'm not even sure I knew how to pray properly then. It's ridiculous to say I'm a Wahhabist or a radical Muslim."<ref name="iwpr">, ], 23-June-06</ref> | ||
| Umarov denied that the Chechen separatism is linked to ] or any other international ]ist groups, saying that the rebels' priority is liberty and ] from Russia and peace for the Caucasus.<ref name="fuller" /> However, in the same 2007 statement in which Umarov proclaimed the Caucasus Emirate, he expressed solidarity with "brothers in ], ], ] and ]" and described "everyone who attacked Muslims" as common enemies of Muslims worldwide.<ref></ref> His deputy ] soon retracted this statement, although saying they still held ] to be an enemy. | Umarov denied that the Chechen separatism is linked to ] or any other international ]ist groups, saying that the rebels' priority is liberty and ] from Russia and peace for the Caucasus.<ref name="fuller" /> However, in the same 2007 statement in which Umarov proclaimed the Caucasus Emirate, he expressed solidarity with "brothers in ], ], ] and ]" and described "everyone who attacked Muslims" as common enemies of Muslims worldwide.<ref></ref> His deputy ] soon retracted this statement, although saying they still held ] to be an enemy. Before the declaration of the Emirate, Umarov was commonly viewed as a staunch Chechen nationalist and was excepted to rather curb the ] tendencies in the separatist movement.<ref name="iwpr"/> | ||
| Umarov always firmly denied any involvement in ] and questioned its legitimacy and value. In a June 2005 interview with Andrei Babitsky, he criticized Basayev for ordering the Beslan raid,<ref name="rferl" /> saying that most of the Chechen resistance does not consider the Beslan hostage taking was a legitimate response to Russian actions in Chechnya ("if we resort to such methods, I do not think any of us will be able to retain his human face").<ref>, ], June 17, 2006</ref> His controversial 2006 appointment of Basayev was precedeed by a public statement rejecting terrorism against civilians as a tactic.<ref>{{cite news |author = Liz Fuller |url = http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2006/6/1268e721-8e8c-4a17-aa1d-0a5b84dcd614.html |title = Chechnya: The Rise Of Russia's 'Terrorist No. 1' |publisher = ] |date = June 28, 2006 |accessdate = 2006-06-29}}</ref> In another statement in 2004 he wrote: "Our targets are the Russian occupation forces, their military bases, command headquarters and also their local collaborationists who pursue and kill peaceful Muslims. Civil objects and innocent civilians are not our targets."<ref name="james" /> However |
Umarov always firmly denied any involvement in ] and questioned its legitimacy and value. In a June 2005 interview with Andrei Babitsky, he criticized Basayev for ordering the Beslan raid,<ref name="rferl" /> saying that most of the Chechen resistance does not consider the Beslan hostage taking was a legitimate response to Russian actions in Chechnya ("if we resort to such methods, I do not think any of us will be able to retain his human face").<ref>, ], June 17, 2006</ref> His controversial 2006 appointment of Basayev was precedeed by a public statement rejecting terrorism against civilians as a tactic.<ref>{{cite news |author = Liz Fuller |url = http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2006/6/1268e721-8e8c-4a17-aa1d-0a5b84dcd614.html |title = Chechnya: The Rise Of Russia's 'Terrorist No. 1' |publisher = ] |date = June 28, 2006 |accessdate = 2006-06-29}}</ref> In another statement in 2004 he wrote: "Our targets are the Russian occupation forces, their military bases, command headquarters and also their local collaborationists who pursue and kill peaceful Muslims. Civil objects and innocent civilians are not our targets."<ref name="james" /> However, in 2009 Umarov's organization took responsibility the ], which claimed the lives of 27 people, including several government officials but also many other travellers.<ref>, ], 2 December 2009</ref> | ||
| ==Family== | ==Family== | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| Dokka Umarov is married, with six children, the youngest of whom was born in 2006.<ref name="statement"/> |
Dokka Umarov is married, with six children, the youngest of whom was born in 2006.<ref name="statement"/> According to ], two of Umarov's brothers died in combat.<ref name="iwpr"/> | ||
| Since 2003 several of Umarov's relatives, including all of his immediate family, have been kidnapped by "unidentified armed men"; some of them were released but the others disappeared and are feared dead. Shortly after the Beslan hostage-taking raid in 2004, ] ] suggested the practice of taking rebel leaders' relatives hostage. In 2005, the Russian human rights group ] blamed pro-Moscow Chechen forces ("]"<ref></ref>) for a policy of abductions of the rebels' relatives.<ref name="moscow" /> | Since 2003 several of Umarov's relatives (as well as many relatives of the other Chechen separatist leaders<ref>], ''Chechnya: From Nationalism to Jihad'', 2007 (p.120)</ref>), including all of his immediate family, have been kidnapped by "unidentified armed men" (presumably government agents); some of them were released but the others disappeared and are feared dead. Shortly after the Beslan hostage-taking raid in 2004, ] ] suggested the practice of taking rebel leaders' relatives hostage. In 2005, the Russian human rights group ] blamed pro-Moscow Chechen forces ("]"<ref></ref>) for a policy of abductions of the rebels' relatives.<ref name="moscow" /> | ||
| On May 5, 2005, a group of masked attackers kidnapped Umarov's wife, his one-year-old son and his 74-year-old father Khamad. According to the rebel sources, Umarov's family was abducted by the employees of the Oil Regiment (''Neftepolk'') headed by Chechnya's first deputy prime minister Adam Delimkhanov and held in a Kadyrov's personal prison in ]. Few months before that, on February 24, Umarov's brother Ruslan had also been kidnapped and allegedly tortured by the FSB at ] military base.<ref>{{ru icon}} , ], May 5, 2005</ref> Umarov's wife and son were later freed, but his father and the younger brother both disappeared. In April 2007 Umarov declared his elderly father has been murdered in captivity.<ref>{{pl icon}} , '']'', 2007-04-20</ref><ref>, ], 20/4/2007</ref> In August 2005 Umarov's sister Natalia Khumaidova was abducted in ];<ref name="moscow">, '']'', 15 August 2005</ref> she was released days later after local residents blocked a federal highway protesting for her return. In 2003-2004 his cousin Zaurbek Umarov and nephew Roman Atayev were also detained in Chechnya and in Ingushetia and disappeared.<ref>, ], 18 March 2005</ref> | On May 5, 2005, a group of masked attackers kidnapped Umarov's wife, his one-year-old son and his 74-year-old father Khamad. According to the rebel sources, Umarov's family was abducted by the employees of the Oil Regiment (''Neftepolk'') headed by Chechnya's first deputy prime minister Adam Delimkhanov and held in a Kadyrov's personal prison in ]. Few months before that, on February 24, Umarov's brother Ruslan had also been kidnapped and allegedly tortured by the FSB at ] military base.<ref>{{ru icon}} , ], May 5, 2005</ref> Umarov's wife and son were later freed, but his father and the younger brother both disappeared. In April 2007 Umarov declared his elderly father has been murdered in captivity.<ref>{{pl icon}} , '']'', 2007-04-20</ref><ref>, ], 20/4/2007</ref> In August 2005 Umarov's sister Natalia Khumaidova was abducted in ];<ref name="moscow">, '']'', 15 August 2005</ref> she was released days later after local residents blocked a federal highway protesting for her return. In 2003-2004 his cousin Zaurbek Umarov and nephew Roman Atayev were also detained in Chechnya and in Ingushetia and disappeared.<ref>, ], 18 March 2005</ref> | ||
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| ==External links== | ==External links== | ||
| * '']'' entry | * , '']'' entry | ||
| * {{ru icon}} ] | * {{ru icon}} , ] | ||
| {{start box}} | {{start box}} | ||
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Revision as of 01:34, 26 February 2010
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| Dokka Khamatovich Umarov Умаран Хамади кант Докка | |
|---|---|
 Dokka Umarov during a session of rebel leaders in May 2003 | |
| 1st Emir of the Caucasus Emirate | |
| In office October 31, 2007 – present | |
| Vice President | Supyan Abdullayev |
| 5th President of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria | |
| In office June 17, 2006 – October 31, 2007 | |
| Preceded by | Abdul Halim Sadulayev |
| Succeeded by | Parliamentary rule |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1964-04-13) April 13, 1964 (age 60).svg){kind=small} Kharsenoi, Chechen-Ingush ASSR, Soviet Union |
| Nationality | Chechen |
Doku (Dokka) Khamatovich Umarov (Template:Lang-ce; Template:Lang-ru; he also uses the Arabized name of "Dokka Abu Usman";) (born April 13, 1964) is the former underground President of the urecognized Chechen Republic of Ichkeria (ChRI) between 2006 and 2007 and currently the self-proclaimed Emir of the Russian North Caucasus (as the virtual Islamic state of Caucasus Emirate) since 2007.
Early life
Umarov was born to Khamad Umarov of the Malkoy teip (the same clan as the warlord Arbi Barayev and the Chechen ex-foreign minister Ilyas Akhmadov) in April 1964 in the village of Kharsenoi (Kharsenoy) in Shatoysky District region in southern Chechnya. He graduated from the construction faculty of the Oil Institute in the Chechen capital Grozny with a higher education degree as a construction engineer.
First Chechen War and interwar period
Umarov was in Moscow when the first Russian-Chechen war broke out in December 1994 and returned to Chechnya to fulfill what he called his patriotic duty to fight. Umarov initially served under the command of Ruslan Gelayev. In 1996, due to disagreements with Gelayev, he left the unit and joined the command of Akhmed Zakayev, who had also left Gelayev's ranks, now heading the special forces unit Borz ("Wolf"). In the course of the war, in which his unit was expanded from a battalion to regiment, Umarov was promoted to the rank of brigadier general and won two prestigious awards for valor: for his bravery he was decorated with Ichkeria's two highest medals: Kioman Syi (Honour of the Nation) and Kyoman Turpal (Hero of the Nation).
Following the Khasav-Yurt Accord that ended the first Chechen war in 1996 and the election of Aslan Maskhadov as president in January 1997, Umarov was named by Maskhadov to head the Chechen Security Council. In that capacity, he intervened in July 1998 to quash an armed clash between moderates and Islamic radicals in the city of Gudermes. He was however forced to resign when the Council was disbanded, according to some sources because of persistent rumors of Umarov's participation in hostage-taking "business". In 1999, Russian sources accused him of the alleged involvement in the kidnapping of General Gennady Shpigun, the Russian envoy to Chechnya.
Second Chechen War
Umarov began the current war in September 1999 as a field commander, again working closely with Ruslan Gelayev in the siege for Grozny. In early 2000 Umarov sustained a serious wound to his face as he was leaving a surrounded Grozny and was hospitalized in a third country alongside Zakayev. According to the sources in the Georgian intelligence, Umarov led then a force of 130-150 fighters in Georgia's Pankisi Gorge before his return to Chechnya in the summer of 2002.
Back in Chechnya, Umarov became the replacement of Isa Munayev on the post of the commander of Southwestern Front, the rebel military region southwest of Grozny that bordered on Georgia and the Russian republic of Ingushetia. He was seen as having been an ally of Vedeno-based Shamil Basayev. In 2003 Gelayev led his men in the heavy fighting around Shatoy and according to the Russian sources ordered the bombing of the Ingushetia FSB headquarters in Magas and the attack on electrical infrastructure facalities in Kislovodsk in Stavropol Krai. After death of Gelayev in February 2004, many of his remaining men joined Umarov's command. The next year, together with Basayev, Umarov was one of the leaders of a large-scale raid into neighbouring Ingushetia in the summer of 2004.
During the September 2004 Beslan school hostage crisis Umarov was repeatedly identified by Russian security services as the leader of the hostage takers, a claim that has never been substantiated in any fashion (Umarov also condemned the Beslan act and distanced himself from terrorism). Through 2005, there were numerous incorrect reports of Umarov's death or grave injury. In January, he was reported having been killed in a gun battle with the Russian special forces near the Georgian border. In March, he was reported as having been seriously wounded by a Spetznaz assassination team. In September, the MVD announced it had found "Umarov's grave" and the following month in October he was once again falsely reported dead in the Nalchik raid in Kabardino-Balkaria.
In April 2005, Russian special forces destroyed a small guerrilla unit during a battle in Grozny after receiving intelligence that Umarov was with them, yet he was not found among the dead. In May 2005, Umarov was reportedly seriously hurt by an anti-personnel mine. He was said to have lost a leg in the blast, but turned out to be only lightly injured and participated in an attack on Roshni-Chu in August. In May 2006, Chechen police discovered his headquarters bunker in the centre of the village of Assinovskaya on the border with Ingushetia, but Umarov managed to escape in time. By this time he had become the vice-president of the separatist government.
Presidency
As vice-president, Umarov was automatically elevated to the position as supreme leader of the ChRI following the death of President of Ichkeria Sheikh Abdul Halim on June 17, 2006. Having become president, Umarov also held such posts as the head of the State Defense Council; Amir of the Madzhlis Shura of the Caucasus; Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria; and finally, Emir of the Mujahideen of the Caucasus. In his first published comments since assuming the role of president, Umarov vowed to expand the conflict to "many regions of Russia", praised his predecessor Sadulayev, indicated that a special unit was being formed to fight Chechnya's "most odious traitors" (a remark believed to refer to the present federal Chechen administration) and stressed that the Chechen rebels would attack only military and police targets within Russia, including in the newly-declared Urals and Volga Region Fronts.
On June 27, 2006, Umarov appointed Shamil Basayev to the position of vice-president of the separatist government, simultaneously releasing him from his position as first deputy prime minister. Ichkeria's foreign minister, Usman Firzauli, said that the appointment was meant to force Russia into political negotiations, for if they killed Umarov, then the radical Basayev would have become the official leader of the rebel movement. However, Basayev was killed soon afterward, in July 2006. On March 19, 2007, rebel Kavkaz Center website reported that Umarov has appointed Supyan Abdullayev as the new vice-president of the ChRI. In October 2007, Umarov made another controversial move when he posthumously restored the disgraced notorious field commander Arbi Barayev to the rank of brigadier general (stripped of him by Maskhadov in 1998).
On August 18, 2006, Umarov was falsely announced to have surrendered at the Gudermes residence of Ramzan Kadyrov, the pro-Russian Chechen leader, under a Russian amnesty provision enacted after Basayev's death. However, Russian authorities later reversed it to a claim of surrender of Umarov's "younger brother and former head of body guards". Dokku Umarov maintains he has no younger brother and the later reports identified the allegedly surrendered person as his older brother Akhmad instead; for their part, the Chechen separatists said that the older Umarov disappeared two years before and claimed that the presentation of the Chechen leader's brother was "a PR stunt". Umarov himself has previously called the amnesty as "a hopeless attempt by the Kremlin regime to shroud the real situation... in lies."
On November 23, 2006, large numbers of Russian Defense Ministry and the FSB troops, without the participation of Chechen police, supported by helicopters and artillery barrages, were reported to have surrounded Umarov and his forces in a forest near the village of Yandi-Katar in the Achkhoy-Martanovsky District, on the internal border between Ingushetia and Chechnya. According to Kommersant sources, Umarov was wounded but managed to escape the pursuit. He then spent the winter months travelling across the mountains to the nearby republic of Kabardino-Balkaria to meet with local jamaats fighting Russian authorities in the region and consolidate the Caucasian Front, the rebel movement set up by the late President Abdul-Khalim Sadulayev. In April 2007, a group of fighters personally led by Umarov shot down a Russian troop transport helicopter near Shatoy.
Leader of the Caucasus Emirate
On October 31, 2007, the separatist news agency Chechenpress reported that Umarov had proclaimed Imarat Kavkaz (Caucasus Emirate) and at once declared himself its Emir, thereby converting the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria into a vilayat (province) of the new emirate. The move to establish the Emirate was quickly condemned by Akhmed Zakayev, by then until recently Umarov's own minister of foreign affairs. Zakayev, living in exile in London, called upon all separatist fighters and politicians to pledge allegiance directly to the Chechen parliament in an attempt to isolate his former subordinate from power. Zakayev expressed regret that Umarov had caved in to pressure from "provocateurs" and committed a "crime" that undermines the legitimacy of the ChRI. In a one-day period two former senior field commanders, Isa Munayev and Sultan Arsayev, issued statements publicly siding with Zakayev and distancing themselves from Umarov. However, all of the prominent active field commanders in Chechnya, with the sole exception of Amir Mansur (Arbi Evmirzayev), had sided with Dokka Umarov on the decision.
Famous Radio Liberty journalist Andrei Babitsky reported in November 2007 that Umarov had again travelled to the Republic of Kabardino-Balkaria to rest and recuperate for the winter months. Babitsky said that Umarov was in a poor state of health after taking a shrapnel wound in the jaw (it is possible Umarov received the wound in 2006 when he broke out of a Russian encirclement on the Chechen/Ingush border) and after his leg was injured in a mine explosion. Pro-Moscow Chechen president Ramzan Kadyrov offered him medical care if Umarov were to "beg for forgiveness".
In March 2008, Chechnya's chief prosecutor, Valery Kuznetsov, has launched a criminal case against Umarov for "inciting inter-ethnic hatred and calling for the overthrow of the Russian government on the Internet" (ironically, the penalty for this is only a fine of up to 500,000 rubles and a ban on holding management positions). According to Kommersant, Umarov was earlier on Russia's wanted list but all the previous (much more serious) charges against him were suspended in 2005. The paper also noted that the ChRI government in exile is investigating Umarov for "attempting to liquidate the independent Chechen state" by declaring the creation of a Caucasus Emirate.
On May 9, 2009, Ramzan Kadyrov announced that Umarov has been reportedly severely wounded once again (in an interview conducted in July 2009 with Prague Watchdog Umarov maintained that the last time he was wounded was in 1995 during the First Chechen War) and four of his bodyguards has been killed in an operation commanded by Kadyrov's cousin and deputy Adam Delimkhanov (one official even claimed that Umarov had even been "killed"), but this was denied by the rebel sources. On January 19, 2010, Kadyrov announced that he had launched an another Delimkhanov-led special operation in Chechnya’s mountains to find and eliminate Umarov.
Beliefs and views
In the beginning Umarov maintained that he practiced traditional Chechen Sufi Islam of the Qadiri Order, as opposed to religious radicalism of the "Wahhabis". Responding to Russian claims that he was an Islamic extremist, he descriped himself as a "traditionalist", and said: "Before the start of the first war in 1994, when the occupation began and I understood that war was inevitable, I came here as a patriot. I'm not even sure I knew how to pray properly then. It's ridiculous to say I'm a Wahhabist or a radical Muslim."
Umarov denied that the Chechen separatism is linked to al-Qaeda or any other international jihadist groups, saying that the rebels' priority is liberty and independence from Russia and peace for the Caucasus. However, in the same 2007 statement in which Umarov proclaimed the Caucasus Emirate, he expressed solidarity with "brothers in Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia and Palestine" and described "everyone who attacked Muslims" as common enemies of Muslims worldwide. His deputy Anzor Astemirov soon retracted this statement, although saying they still held Israel to be an enemy. Before the declaration of the Emirate, Umarov was commonly viewed as a staunch Chechen nationalist and was excepted to rather curb the pan-Islamist tendencies in the separatist movement.
Umarov always firmly denied any involvement in terrorism and questioned its legitimacy and value. In a June 2005 interview with Andrei Babitsky, he criticized Basayev for ordering the Beslan raid, saying that most of the Chechen resistance does not consider the Beslan hostage taking was a legitimate response to Russian actions in Chechnya ("if we resort to such methods, I do not think any of us will be able to retain his human face"). His controversial 2006 appointment of Basayev was precedeed by a public statement rejecting terrorism against civilians as a tactic. In another statement in 2004 he wrote: "Our targets are the Russian occupation forces, their military bases, command headquarters and also their local collaborationists who pursue and kill peaceful Muslims. Civil objects and innocent civilians are not our targets." However, in 2009 Umarov's organization took responsibility the second Nevsky Express bombing, which claimed the lives of 27 people, including several government officials but also many other travellers.
Family
Dokka Umarov is married, with six children, the youngest of whom was born in 2006. According to Kavkaz Center, two of Umarov's brothers died in combat.
Since 2003 several of Umarov's relatives (as well as many relatives of the other Chechen separatist leaders), including all of his immediate family, have been kidnapped by "unidentified armed men" (presumably government agents); some of them were released but the others disappeared and are feared dead. Shortly after the Beslan hostage-taking raid in 2004, Prosecutor General of Russia Vladimir Ustinov suggested the practice of taking rebel leaders' relatives hostage. In 2005, the Russian human rights group Memorial blamed pro-Moscow Chechen forces ("Kadyrovtsy") for a policy of abductions of the rebels' relatives.
On May 5, 2005, a group of masked attackers kidnapped Umarov's wife, his one-year-old son and his 74-year-old father Khamad. According to the rebel sources, Umarov's family was abducted by the employees of the Oil Regiment (Neftepolk) headed by Chechnya's first deputy prime minister Adam Delimkhanov and held in a Kadyrov's personal prison in Tsentoroi. Few months before that, on February 24, Umarov's brother Ruslan had also been kidnapped and allegedly tortured by the FSB at Khankala military base. Umarov's wife and son were later freed, but his father and the younger brother both disappeared. In April 2007 Umarov declared his elderly father has been murdered in captivity. In August 2005 Umarov's sister Natalia Khumaidova was abducted in Urus-Martan; she was released days later after local residents blocked a federal highway protesting for her return. In 2003-2004 his cousin Zaurbek Umarov and nephew Roman Atayev were also detained in Chechnya and in Ingushetia and disappeared.
References
- Emir Dokka Abu Usman tells about the crimes of infidels, Kavkaz Center, 14 May 2009
- ^ "Dokka Umarov: A Hawk Flies to the Ichkerian Throne". Prague Watchdog. June 20, 2006. Retrieved 2006-06-29.
- ^ Statement of Presidential Administration of Chechen Republic of Ichkeria, Chechenpress, 21 June 2006
- ^ Chechnya: A Look At Slain Leader's Legacy And Successor, RFE/RL, June 21, 2006
- ^ Andrew McGregor (January 6 2006). "Dokku Umarov: the next in line". The Jamestown Foundation. Retrieved 2006-08-19.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Profiles: Key siege suspects". BBC News. 7 September, 2004. Retrieved 2006-06-21.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Neil Buckley (June 18, 2006). "Russian troops kill Chechen rebel leader". Financial Times. Retrieved 2006-06-18.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) Cite error: The named reference "ft" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page). - ^ Andrei Babitsky (July 28, 2005). "Russia: RFE/RL Interviews Chechen Field Commander Umarov". RFE/RL. Retrieved 2006-06-19.
- Chechnya’s Police Find Umarov’s Shelter, Kommersant, May 15, 2006
- Nick Paton Walsh (June 19, 2006). "Chechnya rebels appoint new leader after killing". The Guardian. Retrieved 2006-06-18.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - "Chechnya: New Separatist Leader Vows To Take Fight To Russia". RFE/RL. June 23, 2006. Retrieved 2006-06-29.
- Richard Sakwa, Putin: Russia's choice, 2007 (p.238)
- Valentinas Mite (June 28, 2006). "Chechnya: Basayev Appointment Sends Signal To Russia And Beyond". RFE/RL. Retrieved 2006-06-29.
- KavkazCenter; CRI Vice-President is appointed by the decree of President Dokka Umarov
- "Chechen rebels surrender". WikiNews. August 18, 2006. Retrieved 2006-08-18.
- "Umarov reportedly wounded". The Jamestown Foundation, Chechnya Weekly, Volume 7, Issue 46 (November 30, 2006). Retrieved 2007-02-27.
- "Russian artillery tries to flush out Chechen rebel chief". The Scotsman. November 23, 2006. Retrieved 2006-11-23.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - Statement by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria, Chechenpress, October 31, 2007
- Russia: Is North Caucasus Resistance Still Serious Threat?, RFE/RL, November 01, 2007
- Ingush Rebels Extend an Olive Branch to Sufis, The Jamestown Foundation, September 25, 2009
- Kadyrov Offers Umarov Medical Care, The Jamestown Foundation, November 15, 2007
- Umarov Faces Charges of Incitement Via the Internet, The Jamestown Foundation, April 3, 2008
- Kadyrov Says Rebel Leader Injured, Reuters, 09 June 2009
- Emir Dokka Abu Usman is not wounded. None of his bodyguards are killed, Kavkaz Center, 5 June 2009
- ^ New Chechen Leader to Push Nationalist Agenda, Institute for War and Peace Reporting, 23-June-06
- Official Release of the Statement by Amir Dokka Umarov about the Declaration of the Caucasus Emirate
- Chechnya: Impact Of Sadulayev's Death Likely To Be Negligible, Radio Liberty, June 17, 2006
- Liz Fuller (June 28, 2006). "Chechnya: The Rise Of Russia's 'Terrorist No. 1'". RFE/RL. Retrieved 2006-06-29.
- North Caucasus group in Russia train bomb web claim, BBC News, 2 December 2009
- James Hughes, Chechnya: From Nationalism to Jihad, 2007 (p.120)
- Unofficial Places of Detention in the Chechen Republic
- ^ Umarov's Sister Is Abducted, The Moscow Times, 15 August 2005
- Template:Ru icon ФСБ захватила в заложники семью Доки Умарова, Kavkaz Center, May 5, 2005
- Template:Pl icon Ojciec przywódcy czeczeńskiego powstania zamordowany, Gazeta Wyborcza, 2007-04-20
- Doku Umarov's father killed in Chechnya, Memorial, 20/4/2007
- Occupants have captured relatives of Dokku Umarov, Kavkaz Center, 18 March 2005
External links
- Doku Umarov (Russian rebel leader), Encyclopædia Britannica entry
- Template:Ru icon Умаров, Доку: Президент самопровозглашенной республики Ичкерия, Lenta.ru
| Preceded byDeclaration of Emirate |
Emir of the Caucasus Emirate 2007 – present |
Succeeded byIncumbent |
| Preceded bySheikh Abdul Halim |
President of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria 2006 – 2007 |
Succeeded byParliamentary rule |
| Leaders of Chechnya (1991–present) | |
|---|---|
 Chechen Republic(since 1993) | |
 Chechen Republic of Ichkeria(1991–2007) | |
| Acting officeholders shown in italics. | |