Chechen shot in Dubai still alive: Brother

A former Russian army commander from Chechnya shot in Dubai is still alive, his brother insisted in an interview to the Izvestia daily published Monday.

Sulim Yamadayev, a bitter foe of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, was shot in March in a parking lot outside the Jumeirah Beach Residence luxury apartment complex in the emirate.

"I am even ready to make a photo of him holding your newspaper with my published interview, but UAE security services are against this," Isa Yamadayev said, admitting that he had no emails or Internet logs to prove his brother's survival.

The Dubai police did not return a request for comment.

"However, those who say he is dead have no proof either. There are no media or police reports confirming Sulim's death, no photos of his body or the funeral -- only the Dubai police statement and cemetery logs, so why should this be believed?" Yamadayev said.

Police said Sulim Yamadayev died of his wounds but numerous relatives, including his brother Issa, have insisted he was still alive and even recovering.

A former Chechen separatist, Yamadayev switched sides in the late 1990s and became the commander of Vostok, an elite battalion that fought the rebels. He was honored with Russia's top decoration, the Hero of Russia award.

He was dismissed from the military late last year amid bitter rivalry with Chechen leader Kadyrov, and Russian police issued an arrest warrant against him over the kidnapping of a Chechen businessman in 1998.

However, those who say he is dead have no proof either. There are no media or police reports confirming Sulim's death, no photos of his body or the funeral -- only the Dubai police statement and cemetery logs, so why should this be believed?

Issa Yamadayev

Interpol arrest warrant

In late April, Interpol issued an arrest warrant for Adam Delimkhanov, a former deputy prime minister of Chechnya, who is wanted in Dubai in connection with the assassination of.

Interpol's website listed Delimkhanov as wanted for "crimes against life and health" and said the warrant had been issued by Dubai after Dubai police accused Delimkhanov of masterminding the murder.

Delimkhanov, a deputy of the State Duma lower house of Russia's parliament since 2007, told the Russian that the accusation was inflammatory and that Dubai police had failed to hold a professional investigation.

Russia's constitution bans the extradition of Russian nationals for crimes committed in another country.