Chechen Woman found Dead in Armenia, Raising Fears for Exiles Fleeing Kadyrov‘s Rule
YEREVAN, Armenia – Armenian authorities are investigating the murder of Aishat Baimuradova, a young Chechen woman who fled Russia seeking refuge, sparking renewed alarm among Chechen exiles across Europe. The case underscores the escalating risks faced by those escaping the repressive rule of Chechen leader Ramzan kadyrov, even after reaching perceived safety abroad.
Baimuradova’s death has reinvigorated a climate of fear within the Chechen diaspora, many of whom already lived in self-imposed isolation, avoiding public displays of their identity and limiting online presence. the investigation, focusing on two unnamed individuals, comes amid a backdrop of increasing difficulty for Chechens seeking asylum in Europe, forcing many to transit through potentially dangerous countries like Armenia.
Since the early 2000s, Chechens have sought asylum in Europe, initially fleeing the wars in the region and later kadyrov’s increasingly authoritarian government. However, changes to EU migration policies and visa restrictions imposed on Russians following the war in Ukraine have significantly curtailed this route. This has led to a surge in Chechens traveling through the South Caucasus – where Russians can enter visa-free – despite the heightened risks.
In July,another Chechen woman,24-year-old Laura Avtorkhanova,narrowly avoided being forcibly returned to Russia after being located in a Georgian shelter by male relatives attempting to coerce her back.
“The very existence of a diaspora is a clear signal to the entire world that something is wrong in Chechnya. It’s a matter of personal pride and political image,” explained Michael Dennis,an expert on Chechen politics at the University of Texas,highlighting Kadyrov’s sensitivity to criticism originating from abroad.
Several Chechen women living in exile have described a constant state of anxiety, even before Baimuradova’s murder, leading them to avoid community events, refrain from speaking chechen in public, and restrict their social media activity.
“The fear I’ve lived with all my life – embedded in my DNA – has reawakened with renewed vigour,” one escapee in Western Europe, requesting anonymity, told the BBC. “It’s like sleep paralysis: a monster appears, and I lie there frozen, staring into its eyes. It’s the fear of being killed.”
She added, “You can escape, but you never really feel free.”
