Dubai accuses ally of Chechnya leader in slaying

Dubai authorities accused a close ally of Chechnya’s Kremlin-backed president on Sunday of masterminding the brazen midday assassination of a decorated Chechen war veteran.

The allegation could have broad implications for Ramzan Kadyrov, a former rebel now closely allied with Moscow and its campaign to quell a 14-year insurrection in Chechnya.

Sulim Yamadayev, one of Kadyrov’s bitter foes, was gunned down March 28 outside a busy residential complex along Dubai’s shoreline. His slaying was the latest in a string of assassinations targeting Chechen renegades in and outside of Russia.

Dubai Police Chief Lt. Gen. Dahi Khalfan Tamim said Chechen authorities have not cooperated with the investigation, and “Russia is also responsible for untying the knot of this crime.”

Two men, an Iranian and a Tajik, who allegedly took part in the killing were in custody and four other suspects fled to Russia, Tamim told reporters. None has been charged.

Tamim said one of the four suspects was Adam Delimkhanov, a Chechen member of Russia’s lower house who is considered one of Kadyrov’s close friends and part of his inner circle.

One of suspects in custody told Dubai authorities that Delimkhanov planned the slaying, Tamim said. One of the suspects also said Delimkhanov’s guards provided him the gun used to kill Yamadayev, the police chief said.

“Our investigation found him (Delimkhanov) to be the mastermind of the assassination of Sulim Yamadayev,” Tamim said. The police chief said Dubai will seek Interpol’s help in arresting Delimkhanov and the other three suspects on the run.