Gaidar Gadzhiyev

Who was Gaidar Gadzhiyev?

Gaidar Gadzhiyev was a Russian General and commandant of the Urus-Martan military district in Chechnya, who was killed by a young local woman Ayza Gazuyeva.

Ayza Gazuyeva had lost a husband, two brothers, and a cousin in the war. Gadzhiyev, an ethnic Avar military officer who was accused of atrocities against civilians by local residents, reportedly had personally summoned Gazuyeva to witness her husband's torture and summary execution. Gazuyeva's disabled brother was shot dead by the Russian troops shortly before the event. On November 29, 2001 she blew herself up with a hand grenade near a group of Russian soldiers, killing herself instantly; reportedly, her last words were "Do you still remember me?" Gadzhiyev died of their wounds later; several of his bodyguards were killed as well.