Shamil Basayev

Shamil Salmanovich Basayev (Russian: ?????? ?????????? ??????) (born January 14, 1965) is a Chechen leading an armed group acting in the north Caucasus region of Russia, principally in Chechnya. Although some call him a "separatist" for his goal of achieving independence from Russia, many call him a "terrorist" for his intentional killing of unarmed civilians, including women and children. Since 2003, Basayev has also used the pseudonym and title Abdallah Shamil Abu-Idris, "Amir of the Brigade of Shahids 'Riyadus Salihiin'".

American Television Appearance

Even though Basayev has a US$10 million bounty on his head, he gave an interview to Russian journalist Andrei Babitsky in which he describes himself as "a bad guy, a bandit, a terrorist." But, to justify his own acts to intentionally kill unarmed civilians, women and children, he claimed that the Russians "officially"' killed 40,000 Chechen children and are therefore terrorists as well http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/International/story?id=990187&page=1. This interview was broadcast in 2005 on American Television Network ABC's Nightline program, to the protest of the Russian Government.

Related Topics:
Andrei Babitsky - 2005 - ABC - Nightline

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