Belgian police this week arrested seven alleged ISIS supporters — almost all Chechens — who were accused of attempting to plan a terrorist attack within the country.
The men were believed to have been searching for weapons.
The arrests brought renewed attention to the Chechen community in Belgium and its ties to extremist groups.
The Chechens are regularly portrayed in a negative light in the Belgian press because of alleged links to gang violence.
Yet there has so far been no ISIS-claimed attack organised by Chechens in Belgium. None of the perpetrators of the biggest ISIS attack on Belgian soil, which killed 32 people in 2016, had Chechen links.
The most attention-grabbing ISIS-claimed attack involving a Chechen refugee in Europe was the 2020 decapitation of French secondary schoolteacher Samuel Paty by 18-year-old Abdoullakh Anzorov.
What is the significance of these arrests?
Between 10,000 and 17,000 Chechens live in Belgium, a country of about 12 million people. The community is known for not mixing easily with others.
“The vast majority of community is Muslim. Within that population, you have some individuals that have grown very radical,” said Thomas Renard, director of the International Centre for Counter-Terrorism in The Hague.
The most high-profile recent arrest of a Chechen-Belgian terrorist was Lors Doukaev, who was sentenced to 12 years in prison in 2011 in Denmark for a failed attack against a newspaper.
Denmark transferred him to Belgium in 2013 for the rest of his prison sentence.
Belgium tried to strip him of his citizenship but failed after it appeared that he would become stateless.
Moscow refused to grant him Russian citizenship, according to Belgian daily Le Soir.
Doukaev’s case shows that the presence of Islamist extremist Chechens in Belgium predates the creation of ISIS in Syria and Iraq in 2014, said Mr Renard.
Yet Chechens represent a relatively small proportion of terrorism convictions between 1990 and 2019.
Mr Renard’s figures show that about 25 Chechens were sentenced by Belgian courts for terrorism during that time frame out of 557 convictions in total.
“It’s smaller than people from North Africa or Europe,” he said.
Most of those arrests happened after 2014 and involved Chechens with links to ISIS.
Authorities have found Chechen communities in Belgium hard to infiltrate, Mr Renard said.
“Even when they travelled to Syria and Iraq, Chechens joined all-Chechen battalions,” said Mr Renard.
He contrasted this choice with other groups that formed along linguistic lines, such as French speakers from France and Belgium.
“They could have coalesced with other Russian-speaking foreign fighters but it seems they didn't,” said Mr Renard.
What are the links between Chechens and ISIS?
Russian passport holders, mostly from Chechnya, were the second-biggest ethnic group to leave or attempt to leave Belgium to join ISIS in Syria and Iraq out of about 700 people, according to a 2018 study published by the ICCT.
The report’s authors counted dual citizens as Belgian. They represented 76.6 per cent of departures.
In Syria, some Chechen-led rebel battalions later splintered between ISIS and other extremist groups, said Thomas Pierret, senior researcher at the French National Centre for Scientific Research.
“Many military leaders were Chechens,” Mr Pierret told The National. Most of them came from the Caucasus, not Western Europe.
One of the most prominent figures in the group was Abu Omar Al Shishani, a fighter of Chechen origin born in Georgia who was distinguished by his long red beard.
Some Chechen groups still operate independently in the rebel-held region of Idlib in north-east Syria, according to Mr Pierret.
Others have gone on to fighting Russia in Ukraine, such as Abdul Hakim Al Shishani, who used to lead a rebel group in Syria.
Shishani means Chechen in Arabic.
Belgian authorities did not indicate whether the men arrested on Thursday had been to Syria, but radicalism also exists within the diaspora in Europe that never joined ISIS abroad.
Mr Paty’s killer had been in contact with Russian-speaking fighters in Syria before the murder but had not been there himself.
Why did Chechens play an important role within ISIS?
The fact that Chechens were the second-largest group in Belgium to join ISIS in Syria and Iraq is “surprising”, considering how small the community is, said the ICCT report.
The report suggested that there might be a link between the fact that Chechens had experienced violent conflict and the high level of militancy within the diaspora.
Mr Pierret said that there was a clear relation between Russian war crimes in Chechnya during the two Chechen wars in the 1990s and 2000s and the emergence of extremist networks within the community.
“Its population has been brutalised in a horrendous fashion by Russia,” he said.
The war started as a nationalist insurrection in the 1990s but became more radicalised with the death of moderate leaders and the arrival of fighters who had fought Russia in Afghanistan.
“The Chechen cause rallied many people because it was a black-and-white scenario: Christian Orthodox Russia oppresses Muslim community,” said Mr Pierret.
Farasan Boat: 128km Away from Anchorage
Director: Mowaffaq Alobaid
Stars: Abdulaziz Almadhi, Mohammed Al Akkasi, Ali Al Suhaibani
Rating: 4/5
GIANT REVIEW
Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan
Director: Athale
Rating: 4/5
Who has lived at The Bishops Avenue?
- George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
- Then came the international super rich, including the last king of Greece, Constantine II, the Sultan of Brunei and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who was at one point ranked the third richest person in the world.
- Turkish tycoon Halis Torprak sold his mansion for £50m in 2008 after spending just two days there. The House of Saud sold 10 properties on the road in 2013 for almost £80m.
- Other residents have included Iraqi businessman Nemir Kirdar, singer Ariana Grande, holiday camp impresario Sir Billy Butlin, businessman Asil Nadir, Paul McCartney’s former wife Heather Mills.
Hunting park to luxury living
- Land was originally the Bishop of London's hunting park, hence the name
- The road was laid out in the mid 19th Century, meandering through woodland and farmland
- Its earliest houses at the turn of the 20th Century were substantial detached properties with extensive grounds
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Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
ICC T20 Rankings
1. India - 270 ranking points
2. England - 265 points
3. Pakistan - 261 points
4. South Africa - 253 points
5. Australia - 251 points
6. New Zealand - 250 points
7. West Indies - 240 points
8. Bangladesh - 233 points
9. Sri Lanka - 230 points
10. Afghanistan - 226 points
Company%20Profile
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Profile
Co-founders of the company: Vilhelm Hedberg and Ravi Bhusari
Launch year: In 2016 ekar launched and signed an agreement with Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi. In January 2017 ekar launched in Dubai in a partnership with the RTA.
Number of employees: Over 50
Financing stage: Series B currently being finalised
Investors: Series A - Audacia Capital
Sector of operation: Transport
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Zayed Sustainability Prize
List of alleged parties
May 12, 2020: PM and his wife Carrie attend 'work meeting' with at least 17 staff
May 20, 2020: They attend 'bring your own booze party'
Nov 27, 2020: PM gives speech at leaving party for his staff
Dec 10, 2020: Staff party held by then-education secretary Gavin Williamson
Dec 13, 2020: PM and his wife throw a party
Dec 14, 2020: London mayoral candidate Shaun Bailey holds staff event at Conservative Party headquarters
Dec 15, 2020: PM takes part in a staff quiz
Dec 18, 2020: Downing Street Christmas party
TALE OF THE TAPE
Manny Pacquiao
Record: 59-6-2 (38 KOs)
Age: 38
Weight: 146lbs
Height: 166cm
Reach: 170cm
Jeff Horn
Record: 16-0-1 (11 KOs)
Age: 29
Weight: 146.2lbs
Height: 175cm
Reach: 173cm
Results
5pm: Wadi Nagab – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,200m; Winner: Al Falaq, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Ahmed Al Shemaili (trainer)
5.30pm: Wadi Sidr – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: AF Majalis, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
6pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: AF Fakhama, Fernando Jara, Mohamed Daggash
6.30pm: Wadi Shees – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Mutaqadim, Antonio Fresu, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7pm: Arabian Triple Crown Round-1 – Listed (PA) Dh230,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Bahar Muscat, Antonio Fresu, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7.30pm: Wadi Tayyibah – Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Poster Paint, Patrick Cosgrave, Bhupat Seemar
What is tokenisation?
Tokenisation refers to the issuance of a blockchain token, which represents a virtually tradable real, tangible asset. A tokenised asset is easily transferable, offers good liquidity, returns and is easily traded on the secondary markets.
Leaderboard
15 under: Paul Casey (ENG)
-14: Robert MacIntyre (SCO)
-13 Brandon Stone (SA)
-10 Laurie Canter (ENG) , Sergio Garcia (ESP)
-9 Kalle Samooja (FIN)
-8 Thomas Detry (BEL), Justin Harding (SA), Justin Rose (ENG)
Racecard
6.30pm: The Madjani Stakes (PA) Group 3 Dh175,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,400m
7.40pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,600m
8.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh190,000 (D) 1,200m
8.50pm: Dubai Creek Mile (TB) Listed Dh265,000 (D) 1,600m
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) Dh190,000 (D) 1,600m
The National selections
6.30pm: Chaddad
7.05pm: Down On Da Bayou
7.40pm: Mass Media
8.15pm: Rafal
8.50pm: Yulong Warrior
9.25pm: Chiefdom
10 tips for entry-level job seekers
- Have an up-to-date, professional LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, set one up today. Avoid poor-quality profile pictures with distracting backgrounds. Include a professional summary and begin to grow your network.
- Keep track of the job trends in your sector through the news. Apply for job alerts at your dream organisations and the types of jobs you want – LinkedIn uses AI to share similar relevant jobs based on your selections.
- Double check that you’ve highlighted relevant skills on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- For most entry-level jobs, your resume will first be filtered by an applicant tracking system for keywords. Look closely at the description of the job you are applying for and mirror the language as much as possible (while being honest and accurate about your skills and experience).
- Keep your CV professional and in a simple format – make sure you tailor your cover letter and application to the company and role.
- Go online and look for details on job specifications for your target position. Make a list of skills required and set yourself some learning goals to tick off all the necessary skills one by one.
- Don’t be afraid to reach outside your immediate friends and family to other acquaintances and let them know you are looking for new opportunities.
- Make sure you’ve set your LinkedIn profile to signal that you are “open to opportunities”. Also be sure to use LinkedIn to search for people who are still actively hiring by searching for those that have the headline “I’m hiring” or “We’re hiring” in their profile.
- Prepare for online interviews using mock interview tools. Even before landing interviews, it can be useful to start practising.
- Be professional and patient. Always be professional with whoever you are interacting with throughout your search process, this will be remembered. You need to be patient, dedicated and not give up on your search. Candidates need to make sure they are following up appropriately for roles they have applied.
Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz
What is Diwali?
The Hindu festival is at once a celebration of the autumn harvest and the triumph of good over evil, as outlined in the Ramayana.
According to the Sanskrit epic, penned by the sage Valmiki, Diwali marks the time that the exiled king Rama – a mortal with superhuman powers – returned home to the city of Ayodhya with his wife Sita and brother Lakshman, after vanquishing the 10-headed demon Ravana and conquering his kingdom of Lanka. The people of Ayodhya are believed to have lit thousands of earthen lamps to illuminate the city and to guide the royal family home.
In its current iteration, Diwali is celebrated with a puja to welcome the goodness of prosperity Lakshmi (an incarnation of Sita) into the home, which is decorated with diyas (oil lamps) or fairy lights and rangoli designs with coloured powder. Fireworks light up the sky in some parts of the word, and sweetmeats are made (or bought) by most households. It is customary to get new clothes stitched, and visit friends and family to exchange gifts and greetings.
