Chechen Man Departs Armenia Following Months at Astana Airport
By Elizaveta Chukharova • 3 min read Share ▲ Zelimkhan Murtazov. Photo: Vot tak. Zelimkhan Murtazov, a Chechen national, departed for Armenia on April 20, 2026, after spending nearly four months in the transit zone of Astana International Airport.
Murtazov had deserted his military unit, claiming he was compelled to enlist under duress. According to Vot Tak, a Belarusian media outlet, Murtazov’s arrival in Yerevan coincided with the launch of direct flights between Astana and Yerevan. His brother, Turpal Murtazov, reported that Zelimkhan Murtazov was questioned by Armenian border guards for several hours before entry was permitted.
Turpal Murtazov stated that his brother was adjusting to daily life, remarking on the opportunity to receive vitamin D. Turpal Murtazov also expressed concerns about the safety of other Chechen individuals fleeing persecution, citing the 2025 murder of Aishat Baimuradova in Yerevan following her escape from domestic abuse in Chechnya. Suspects in Baimuradova’s murder remain on Russia’s wanted list.
Murtazov initially became stranded at Astana Airport in late December 2025 after an unsuccessful attempt to reach Turkey. Kazakh border guards denied him entry, citing national security concerns, and his asylum request was rejected ten days later. Prior attempts to secure passage to Kyrgyzstan or Belarus, where direct flights were limited, were unsuccessful, fearing handover to Russian authorities.
Murtazov, who lived in the airport’s transit zone on benches, stated he signed a three-year contract with the Akhmat unit in August 2022 under pressure from Chechen security forces, who threatened his brothers’ involvement in combat. He claimed his unit constructed earthworks in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region and that his contract was automatically extended without his consent. He asserted he did not kill or fire a shot.
Records show he enlisted as a grenade launcher operator on August 11, 2022, and fled during a leave in autumn 2025. Murtazov feared torture and death if returned to Russia. This situation echoes concerns raised regarding the extradition of other Russian citizens from Kazakhstan, including activist Mansur Movlaev.
Armenia’s Parliamentary Speaker Alen Simonyan has pledged not to deport Russians on politically motivated requests.
Topics: #chechen #astana #airport
