Shamil Basayev, born February 14, 1965 in Vedeno, Chechnya, died on July 10, 2006, aged 41. Basayev was a Chechen separatist leader and politician, widely known for leading several raids and attacks on Russian targets in Chechnya during the Chechen wars. A controversial figure, Basayev was the founder of Riyad-us Saliheen Brigade of Martyrs, and became the Minister of Defence of Ichkeria, a short-lived, independent Chechen republic. He was also designated a terrorist and at various times accused of kidnapping and hostage taking. In 2006 Basayev was killed in a blast in Ingushetia. He is survived by his wife and two children.