Following Maskhadov

An update on the leader situation in Chechnya.

Hmmm… this could be a turning point. Abdul-Khalim Saidullayev has been chosen to be the leader of the Chechnyan resistance until free elections are held. For those that do not know, Saidullayev is a mullah and head of the rebels’ Islamic court. Islam in Chechnya has never been as politicized as places such as Afghanistan etc. Could this be a turn in the tide? Also, Maskhadov was considered a moderate, as opposed to Basayev who is a complete nutter, responsible for Beslan among other attacks. Now it seems Saidullayev’s nomination has been backed already by Basayev, who lost against Maskhadov in the presidential election in ‘97. Why would he not take power? Maybe his profile is too high after Beslan. Then again, he might already have connections and sway with Saidullayev.

Keep your eye on this, as Praktike pointed out about Chechen veterans in Europe, a new Islamic leadership in Grozny will be calling a different crowd to join the party.

EDIT: Andy at Siberian Light has more on Saidullayev.

Basayev confirmed that under a 2002 agreement between Maskhadov and other Chechen leaders, the former court chairman, whom he called Sheikh Abdul-Khalim, was to succeed Maskhadov, the Kavkaz-Center Web site said.