US handed Russia seven Russian members of Taliban

US handed seven Russians previously imprisoned in Guantanamo, to Russian authorities.
These people were fighting on Taliban’s side. Currently they are imprisoned in Russia before legal hearing takes place.

There were eight Russian citizens in the US Guantanamo base in Cuba. Russian authorities are accusing them of illegal crossing the state border, being members of a criminal group and  mercenaries in armed conflict.

In the bеginning of 2002 representatives of Russian Office of Public Prosecutor visited Guantanamo and identified the detained Russians. Official request for their handing to Russia was submitted to the US authorities.

According to Russian Office of Public Prosecutor, these people were recruited by radical Islamic organizations and sent to Afghanistan where they fought on Taliban’s side.

Dossier on the detained Russians:

Russian Office of Public Prosecutor continues its investigation on these Russian citizens on charges of illegal crossing the state border and being mercenaries.

Rasul Kudaev is 22 years old, was born in Kabardino-Balkaria republic of Russia. In 1995 Rasul became a champion of the republic in wrestling.  His mother and brother say that he left home for Central Asia in 2000. Rasul told his family that his coach had started his career in sport in Central Asia, and he also intended to pursue further career in sport in that region.

Ravil Gumarov is from the Ural region. He tried to work in business, but failed. In 1997 he became close with the radical nationalists from Naberezhye Chelny branch of the Tatar Center and became a student of Iyldyz (Star) Islamic School in Naberezhye Chelny.

Currently the school has been closed down. Some of its students “had internship” in Chechnya in the military camps of Shamil Basaev. According to Russian special services, Gumarov tried to go to Chechnya and from there – to Afghanistan, several times. He probably succeeded in 2000 – he disappeared from his town that year. In the city of Naberezhnye Chelny Gumarov’s ex-wife and three little children are living.

Almaz Sharipov lived in Bashkiria and was a member of radical Islamic organization. Before leaving Russia he was police senior lieutenant and investigator.  In addition, he was studying at Law School of Ufa State University. He left the service in 1999, and after that his relatives did not hear from him.

Airat Vakhitov was the founder of Iyldyz Islamic School in Naberezhnye Chelny. His mother said that her son he liked the conditions in Guantanamo and did not want to go to Russian prison where the conditions are much more severe.

Source: Newsru