Russian court declares Chechen Ichkeria movement terrorist organisation

A court in Grozny has designated the organisation known as the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria and its affiliated branches in Europe as a terrorist group, according to Russia’s Federal Security Service.

The agency stated that the Sheikh-Mansurovsky District Court, acting on evidence gathered in cooperation with the Prosecutor General’s Office, ruled to ban the organisation and 29 of its branches operating across 14 European countries from activity within Russian territory, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media. 

According to the FSB, members of the group have been involved in hostilities against Russian forces since the start of the war in Ukraine. Authorities allege their participation alongside Ukrainian units in sabotage operations, attacks in border regions such as Belgorod region and Kursk region, and killings of Russian military personnel and civilians.

The organisation, established in 1991 during the collapse of the Soviet Union, has been led since 2007 by Akhmed Zakayev, who Russian authorities say is internationally wanted on terrorism charges and currently resides in the United Kingdom.

The FSB warned that individuals involved in or supporting the group would face criminal prosecution under Russian law, with penalties that could include life imprisonment.

The ruling follows earlier decisions by Russia’s Supreme Court of Russia, which in 2024 designated the “Government of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria in Exile” as extremist and later as a terrorist organisation.

In January 2025, Russia’s Southern District Military Court sentenced in absentia Zakayev and another figure, Murad Yusupov, to lengthy prison terms for their alleged roles in organising an armed group linked to Ukrainian forces. Authorities claim the group was formed to fight against Russian troops as part of Ukraine’s foreign volunteer units.

By Sabina Mammadli