Aslan al-Adil: The Just Lion

Late but never too late to laud one of the most notable yet also one of the most gutlessly maligned freedom fighters of our age. The Lion revealed why he was respected by those standing for justice, and feared and hated by the enemies of courage.

Chechen Republic of Ichkeria
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Official Statement 24/09/2004

STATEMENT BY PRESIDENT OF THE CHRI A. MASKHADOV: I CATEGORICALLY DECLARE THAT AFTER THE END OF THE WAR, PERSONS WHO ARE GUILTY OF CARRYING OUT CRIMINAL ACTS WILL BE TAKEN TO COURT, INCLUDING SHAMIL BASAYEV.

In connection with Shamil Basayev's statement, in which he took responsibility for the organization of the terrorist act in the town of Beslan in North Ossetia, I categorically declare that the government of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria and the Armed Forces of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria under my command have nothing to do with this terrorist act.
I want to say once more that I most decisively reject and condemn such methods of fighting, no matter who uses them.

Unfortunately, it is practically impossible under the conditions of the continuation of the present war, to call to account those who are guilty of this terrorist act. However, I categorically declare that after the end of the war, persons who are guilty of carrying out such criminal acts will be taken to court, including Shamil Basayev. I call the international community to establish an international tribunal for the comprehensive investigation of all crimes committed during this war by both sides of the conflict.

However, I find it necessary to note that such acts are a consequence of and reaction to the genocidal war of the Russian government against the Chechen nation, during which the Russian army has killed 250,000 people, including 42,000 children.

The continuation of this war might finally lead to the situation becoming uncontrollable, and the result will inevitably be an increase in the number and scale of terrorist acts.
It is widely known that the reason for this conflict with a four-century-long history, during which the Chechen people has suffered extremely severe acts of genocide, is the striving of Russian colonialism to quell the will of the Chechen people to realize its vested right for self-determination.

The only possible and correct solution of the Chechen-Russian conflict is a political one, which would provide an international guarantee of the stop and the impossibility of a renewal of the genocide of the Chechen people by Russian colonialism.

President of the ChRI Aslan Maskhadov, 23.09.04
Chechenpress, Department of Governmental Information, 24.09.04

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On , March 08, 2005, FSB head Nikolay Patrushev announced that special forces attached to the FSB had "today carried out an operation in the settlement of Tolstoy-Yurt, as a result of which the international terrorist and leader of armed groups Maskhadov was killed, and his closest comrades-in-arms detained".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aslan_Maskhadov

May Allah grant him the highest stations of Paradise, and lend strength and infinte blessings to his family, and all those who stand for truth in these backward and slanderous times. May he continue to be a model for valor to all those who dare to struggle for truth against tyranny and oppression. May Allah dress our hearts with the same light and beauty He does to his closest companions, and the Hakim-Adils' of the world. Insh'Allah Rahman, may we also be honoured with the Shade on the Day of Justice and Judgement He reserves for those as worthy as the noble Aslan. Ameen, Ya Rabbul Alameen. For the sake of our Sheykh.

Obituary at 'BBCnews.com'