“In his homeland, he is wanted under the articles of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation for ‘Assisting terrorist activities’, ‘Public calls for the implementation of terrorist activities or public justification of terrorism’, and ‘Inciting hatred or hostility, as well as humiliating human dignity’. Currently, Abu Umar Sasitlinsky has found refuge in Turkey,” noted Al-Farabi Bolatjan.
Sasitlinsky-Akhmednabiev recruits supporters not only among men but also among women. He has four wives, and it is unclear what their official status is (polygamy is prohibited in both Russia and Turkey). One of the “wives” of the notorious extremist is an ethnic Kazakh.
Russian law enforcement agencies are convinced that under Sasitlinsky's influence, many natives of Dagestan have gone to fight in Syria on the side of radical Islamists. His brother was sentenced to a lengthy prison term in 2022 for financing ISIS (a terrorist organization banned in Kazakhstan). The preacher-salafist is likely preparing a successor for himself: he has 21 children, whom he is also raising in the spirit of radical Islam.
The religious scholar points out that Sasitlinsky's sermons and Asel Melik's posts may seem positive and uplifting—but this is merely a disguise for spreading destructive and dangerous ideas. The expert advises Kazakhstani Internet users to exercise caution and not to fall for the manipulations of extremist preachers.
There have been numerous cases where radicals lure Kazakhstani citizens into their nets via the Internet. In July-August, the National Security Committee conducted a large-scale special operation and detained extremists in three regions of Kazakhstan who were recruiting accomplices for organizing terrorist acts. Just a few days ago, a potential terrorist was convicted in Aktau for promoting radical ideas.