Abubakar Yangulbaev is a human rights lawyer who has stood up against Ramzan Kadyrov, the leader of the Russian republic of Chechnya. Yangulbaev has offered to give himself up to Kadyrov in exchange for the release of his mother, who has been held in a Chechen prison for over a year. The recent offer has attracted a lot of public attention and sparked fear for Yangulbaev’s safety if he returns to Chechnya.
A History of Standing up to Kadyrov
Chechnya has become infamous for its widespread human rights abuses under Kadyrov’s rule. Western countries and human rights organizations have criticized Kadyrov for his alleged involvement in harassment, arbitrary arrests, torture, disappearances, and extrajudicial executions of those who criticize his leadership.
The Yangulbaev-Kadyrov conflict goes back to 2015 when Ibragim was arrested on allegations of forming a VKontakte opposition group. Ibragim claims that Kadyrov and his accomplices physically abused him while his father and elder brother, Abubakar, were made to witness.
Abubakar, formerly employed by the Committee Against Torture as a lawyer, was arrested in December 2021 in Stavropol Krai and interrogated by FSB officers. They seized his personal laptop and phone during the process.
Yangulbaev, a vocal critic of Kadyrov, has continued his human rights work even after fleeing Russia in 2021.
Offering to Give Himself up for His Mother’s Release
In January 2022, Yangulbaev’s mother, Zarema Musaeva, was arrested by Chechen law enforcement in the family’s apartment in Nizhny Novgorod. She was arrested in relation to a fraud case that human rights groups believe was politically motivated. Musaeva was later transferred to a Chechen prison and has been deprived of access to her insulin. Yangulbaev’s brothers and father have also fled Russia in fear for their lives, but Yangulbaev has stayed to continue his human rights work.
Abubakar Yangulbaev’s father Saydi Yangulbaev was a retired federal judge. The judicial immunity protecting him from arrest was revoked by Chechen authorities. Abubakar’s brothers, Ibragim and Baysangur, both also vocal critics of Kadyrov, left Russia many months before their mother’s arrest.
Chechen authorities accused three of Saidi’s sons of being behind and managing 1ADAT, a well-known Chechen public movement that operates a widely-followed Telegram channel that is critical of the authorities.
In a video challenge to Kadyrov, Yangulbaev said, “If you, Kadyrov, are a man, if you consider yourself the personification of ultimate masculinity, you must let her out.” He offered to exchange himself for his mother and said, “Don’t touch the women. Take me instead.” Despite efforts by Yangulbaev and human rights organizations to bring attention to Musaeva’s case, she remains in prison.
Threats from Chechen Officials
Kadyrov has publicly feuded with opponents and has threatened the Yangulbaev family. Kadyrov wrote on Telegram, “This family’s place is either in prison or six feet under.” State Duma Deputy Adam Delimkhanov, an ally of Kadyrov, threatened to “cut off the heads” of Yangulbaev and his family.
Abubakar Yangulbaev continues to fight for human rights in Chechnya and for the release of his mother from prison. Despite the risks and threats, he remains committed to speaking out against Kadyrov’s rule and the widespread human rights abuses in Chechnya. Yangulbaev’s offer to give himself up in exchange for his mother’s release has drawn attention to the ongoing human rights crisis in Chechnya and serves as a reminder of the bravery of those who continue to fight for justice.
