Interview Transcript

Employment Details

Question: When did you work?
Answer: In 1997, I worked directly, being engaged in the construction of cottages.

Firm Registration and Location

Question: Was the firm registered?
Answer: Yes. The firm was called "KAPSTROY-2000". My construction office was located in the area of the Barrikadnaya metro station, in a two-story building near the metro.

Allegations and Photos

Question: Information was often presented in the press that you are a Chechen, that specifically the terrorist attacks—the apartment bombings in Moscow—were organized by Khattab, that you were part of Khattab's group. There is a photo published on the internet where you and Khattab are captured in the same frame. How truthful are these photos?
Answer: Regarding this, I can say the following.
* If you are talking about that photo on the internet where I am allegedly with a beard and in a hat next to Khattab—I have seen this photo on the internet.
* This person is not me and doesn't look anything like me, and it has already been proven that this is a photomontage!
* Although the FSB of Russia to this day claims that it is me.
* Why this was done, we now see and understand: A Chechen trail was needed.
* Even in my search documents, I appeared as a Chechen, although my documents were issued by the Karachayevsk ROVD, and, consequently, the FSB definitely knew that I am a Karachay. They needed to link me to Chechnya. It was done for this purpose.
* I was never acquainted with Khattab, nor with his group, and had nothing in common with them. Why this was necessary for them is now obvious.

Reasons for Hiding

Question: You say that you are innocent. What then is the reason that you are hiding?
Answer: The reason is that the special services are diligently searching for me. After the bombings in Moscow, I returned to my homeland and, knowing that I had been framed, understood that now I was forced to hide.
* I lived for some time in my homeland and hid—this was after the events in Moscow in 1999.
* My own brother was working then as the head of the district Criminal Investigation Department, and he warned me through relatives that they had an unspoken order—not to take me alive, i.e., to liquidate me, they warned me.