Arbi Barayev
Arbi Barayev | |
|---|---|
Barayev in 1999 | |
| Native name | Арби Алаутдинович Бараев |
| Birth name | Arbi Alautdinovich Barayev |
| Nickname(s) | The Terminator |
| Born | 27 May 1974 Alkhan-Kala, Checheno–Ingush ASSR, Soviet Union |
| Died | 22 June 2001 (aged 27) Alkhan-Kala, Chechnya, Russia |
| Commands | Special Purpose Islamic Regiment
Sharia Regiment |
| Battles / wars | First Chechen War War of Dagestan Second Chechen War |
Arbi Alautdinovich Barayev (Chechen: Арби Алаутдинович Бараев; 27 May 1974 – 22 June 2001) was a Chechen warlord who in 1996 became the founder and first leader of the Special Purpose Islamic Regiment (SPIR) in Chechnya.
Nicknamed "The Terminator", Barayev and the SPIR were regarded as one of the main violent criminal organizations operating in Chechnya during the lawless interwar period that followed the 1994–1996 First Chechen War, driving out foreign journalists and humanitarian workers, while undermining the presidency of Aslan Maskhadov during Chechnya's de facto independence until 1999.
After the restoration of Russian control, Barayev openly lived in his home village until he was killed on 22 June 2001.