A rebel warlord has claimed responsibility for killing the Moscow-backed leader of Chechnya. Shamil Basayev issued a statement on the internet calling the assassination of President Akhmad Kadyrov a “small but important victory.” Basayev’s statement claimed Kadyrov was killed in an attack dubbed Operation Revenge aimed at people who collaborate with Russia against Chechnya.
Kadyrov died May 9 in a spectacular assassination during a ceremony in a jammed soccer stadium. At least 24 people, including Kadyrov, were killed when a landmine was detonated in the stadium in Grozny, while dignitaries were celebrating Victory Day, Russia’s most important military victory. Full Story
