Anzor Astemirov, aka Abu 'Umran Saifullah, is one of the most important figures in the jihad in the North Caucasus. He is commander of a jamaat (armed militia) in Kabardino-Balkaria, but his status derives more from his religious learning, which is superior to that of other North Caucasus commanders. After Dokka Umarov formally dissolved the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria in late 2007 and replaced it with the salafi jihadi Islamic Emirate of the Caucasus, Astemirov was named Chief Judge. He has been highly praised by Abu Muhammad al-Maqdisi, the Jordan-based cleric who is currently the most influential religious authority for the salafi jihadi movement....
The full text of this post is available to subscribers.
Please login or register to request subscription information from MEMRI
