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Yamadayev Assassination Case Hearing Postponed

DUBAI — The Iranian defendant in the assassination case of Sulim Yamadayev, ex-rebel Chechen leader in March last year, kept the murder weapon (gun) for a person called ‘Adam’ before the departure of the Chechen President’s delegation from the UAE in late 2008, the Court of First Instance heard on Monday.

The court later postponed the hearing to February 25 for defence counsel Obeid Ali and Jumaa Al Bawardi to present their arguments.

“Adam gave the Iranian a suitcase prior to the departure of the President’s delegation. Later, out of curiosity he opened the small suitcase and he found a golden gun,” a police officer, who interrogated the accused said.

The 37-year-old Iranian clerk is standing trial with a Tajikistani business partner, 37, for abetting and conspiring in the assassination of 
Yamadayev.

Yamadayev was shot in the back of the head in late March last year as he stepped out of his 4WD in the basement car park of the Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) where he lived with his wife and six children.

The witness also testified that the defendant told him that he received a call from Adam about three months later. “Adam asked the Iranian to send the victim’s address by SMS. The defendant was told that others would call him to note down the victim’s address,” the witness added.

According to his statement, the Iranian admitted to having been contacted by a man from Adam’s side. “He said that they met near Yamadayev’s place in Rimal Building in JBR and there was a third person. Adam told him to hand the suitcase to that man”.

A police officer earlier claimed that the Iranian accused gave a lift many times to the mastermind in the slaying of the ex-rebel Chechen leader while the Tajikistani accomplice helped the suspected killer flee the country.

The Iranian was told that Adam wanted to finish Yamadayev because he had nursed a grudge. He was aware that a murder would take place but did not know when and did not inform police about it.

The Tajikistani is accused of conspiracy in the murder. Court records said he followed the victim to his residence on March 28 and informed the murder suspects about his movement. Based on his call, they went to the place and assassinated Yamadayev.

The lieutenant, who interrogated the Tajikistani, told the court earlier that the latter’s role was to give a ride to the suspects to the victim’s place in JBR and later drop the killer at the airport.

“He was offered $100,000 for his contribution but he said he did not get anything,” the lieutenant said.

The police found a sketch showing the gate leading to the lift and the gate leading to the Walk (JBR) in the Tajikistani’s apartment in Rigga Street in Muraqqabat.

The UAE police are still seeking five other suspects at least. Adam who is mentioned in the investigation and court’s quizzing is believed to be Adam Delimkhanov, the Chechen Deputy Prime Minister.

He was named as the mastermind of the assassination of Yamadayev. “A gun left by Yamdayev’s killer was found to be registered to guards of Adam Delimkhanov,” said Lieutenant General Dahi Khalfan Tamim, Dubai Police Chief. Police have sought the extradition of Delimkhanov to the UAE.

mary@khaleejtimes.com