In a recent development, 31-year-old Chechen MMA star Ilyas Yakubov was apprehended in Moscow on allegations of justifying terrorist activities. This news comes from the Mash Telegram channel.
Yakubov is accused of endorsing terrorist acts, as he recently posted a video on his social media platforms featuring quotes from the infamous militant Shamil Basaev.
Shamil Basayev was a prominent Chechen rebel leader known for his involvement in armed conflicts in the North Caucasus region, particularly during the Chechen wars in the 1990s and early 2000s.
He was a key figure in the Chechen separatist movement and sought Chechnya’s independence from Russia. His tactics included leading rebel forces, orchestrating hostage takings, and engaging in guerrilla warfare against Russian troops.
One of the most notorious incidents associated with Shamil Basayev was the Beslan school hostage crisis in 2004, during which hundreds of people, including many children, were held captive. The crisis ended in a tragic loss of life.
On July 10, 2006, Shamil Basayev was killed in an explosion in Ingushetia, a republic neighboring Chechnya, under circumstances that remain the subject of some debate.
Although the star later removed the video, it led to his placement on the federal wanted list. Currently, the Chechen athlete, against whom a criminal case is being investigated under Article 205, Part 2, is in the custody of the Moscow Investigative Committee. It’s worth noting that this information has not been officially confirmed.
It’s essential to mention that Ilyas Yakubov was scheduled to participate in his next bout on October 27. As part of the “Ren TV Fight Club” tournament, he was set to face Vyacheslav Vasilevsky.
He is facing a potential 7 year prison sentence.
Yakubov went viral just last week, when he decided to headbutt the opponent of a guy he was cornering at Hardcore FC.
Yakubov has an MMA record consisting of 12 wins and 4 losses. He last defeated Vyacheslav Datsik in boxing in December of 2022.