Ruslan Odizhev
Ruslan Anatolyevich Odizhev | |
|---|---|
| Born | Ruslan Anatolyevich Seleznyov Template:Birth date Prokhladny, Kabardino-Balkar Republic, Russia |
| Died | June 27, 2007 (aged 33) Nalchik, Russia |
| Occupation(s) | Detainee, suspected militant |
| Known for | Detained at Guantanamo Bay; suspected involvement in 2005 Nalchik attack |
Ruslan Anatolyevich Odizhev (; born Ruslan Anatolyevich Seleznyov (), December 5, 1973 – June 27, 2007) was a Russian national who was held without formal charges at the United States' Guantanamo Bay detention facility in Cuba. He was assigned the Internment Serial Number 211 and recorded as "Ruslan Anatolivich Odijev, born in Prolandnom, Russia."
Life
Seleznyov entered the world in Prokhladny, located in the Kabardino-Balkar Republic of the North Caucasus. Following his parents' separation, he resided with his mother in Nalchik. Demonstrating an early interest in Islamic teachings and history, he enrolled in the Islamic Institute at age 18, adopting the surname Odizhev to signify his Islamic faith. After completing one year there, he joined the Kabardin Battalion under the Confederation of Caucasus Peoples during the 1992 Abkhaz conflict against Georgia. His military service resulted in lung damage due to prolonged exposure to freezing water. Subsequently, he briefly returned to the Islamic Institute before pursuing studies at Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University in Riyadh, ultimately returning to his hometown in 1994.
Beginning in 1999, Odizhev became a subject of investigation by Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) on suspicion of terrorist activities, including connections to the Russian apartment bombings. In May 2000, he was apprehended and reportedly subjected to torture by FSB operatives; however, he was released after ten days amid official denials from the FSB regarding their involvement.
Odizhev departed Nalchik under the pretext of continuing his religious education in Pakistan but was apprehended by U.S. forces and transferred to Guantanamo Bay. On February 27, 2004, he and six other Russian detainees were repatriated to Russia and faced charges related to illegal border crossing and mercenary conduct; these allegations were dismissed by June.
Upon returning to Nalchik, Odizhev established ties with Islamic cleric Anzor Astemirov, who had connections to militant commander Shamil Basayev. On June 14, 2006, Russian officials identified him as a suspect involved in the 2005 Nalchik assault, accusing him of leading an attack on OMON headquarters.
Odizhev died on June 27, 2007, during a law enforcement operation in Nalchik when he resisted arrest. Authorities attributed his death to alleged participation in the 1999 bombing incidents. Critics contested these claims and questioned both his culpability and the circumstances surrounding his demise.
Claims he "returned to terrorism"
The Defense Intelligence Agency asserted that following his return to Russia, Odizhev resumed involvement in terrorist activities. According to DIA reports, Ruslan Anatolivich Odishev—repatriated in March 2004—was killed during a firefight with Russia’s Federal Security Service in June 2007. Russian officials accused him of engaging in several terrorist operations, including a deadly 2005 assault in the Caucasus region targeting law enforcement personnel. At the time of his death, Odizhev was reportedly armed with pistols, a grenade, and improvised explosive devices.