4 Threat Matrix: Russians capture Arab judge for Caucasus Emirates

Written by Bill Roggio on April 24, 2012 11:30 PM to 4 Threat Matrix

Available online at: http://www.longwarjournal.org/threat-matrix/archives/2012/04/russians_capture_arab_judge_fo.php

Kavkaz Center, a propaganda arm for the Islamic Caucasus Emirates, is reporting that a senior Arab leader for the group has been captured by Russian security forces. The Arab, who is known as Emir Abu Khalid [pictured above], served as a judge for the Caucasus Emirate's province of Chechnya. From Kavkaz Center:

Sources in the Command of the CE [Caucasus Emirate] Mujahideen reported that the famous Arab volunteer fighter, Mujahid and Emir Abu Khalid, who recently assumed the responsibility of the Qadi, or Judge, of the Province of Nokhchicho (aka Chechnya/Ichkeria), was captured by Russian invaders.

The sources report that due to Emir Abu Khalid's severe illness, which required hospital treatment, it was decided to send him abroad, some time ago. However, while crossing the border, Emir Abu Khalid was captured by the Russians. The details about what exactly happened were not given.

Before being appointed judge for Chechnya, Abu Khalid served as a "sector commander" of the "Eastern Front of the Armed Forces of the Caucasus Emirate," according to a Kavkaz Center report from July 2010 that denied rumors of his death.

Abu Khalid is pictured below [right], with Hussein Gakayev [center], the deputy commander of the eastern front who was one of several senior leaders who attempted to oust Doku Umarov as the Caucasus Emirate's emir in the summer of 2010. Yusuf Mohammed al Emirat, an Arab commander better known as Muhannad, also was among those who attempted to oust Umarov. Muhannad was killed by Russian counterterrorism forces during a raid in Chechnya on April 21, 2011. His death is thought to have paved the way for reconciliation between the Chechen commanders and the leadership of the Caucasus Emirate.