Khasan Bakayev

Khasan Zayndinovich Bakayev (Chechen: Зайндин кӀант Бакаев Хьасан) is a prominent scientist of the Chechen Republic. However, due to continuous Russian terrorist occurrences, Mr. Bakayev could not finish his post-graduate studies. This terrorist activity (now, when Russia applied it against Ukraine, has become known as a Hybrid War) in Chechnya (1992-1994), which was an attempt to destabilize the region in order to overturn democratically elected Chechen Government, did not let him complete his studies. The internationally known Russo-Chechen wars in 1994-2001 also contributed to his inability to obtain his well-deserved doctoral degree at one of the highly prestigious Russian universities in St. Petersburg. These terrifying circumstances for his small nation forced Mr. Bakayev to transition from a scholar to a dissident. Nevertheless, Mr. Kh. Bakayev managed to publish hundreds of articles in newspapers, magazines, Global Web and his several brilliant books are widely known in Chechnya and recognized by scientific community.

In 1976, Khasan Bakayev graduated from the High School №1in Gekhi, Chechen Republic. From 1977 to 1979 he served in the Soviet army, which was mandatory duty for youngsters. From 1983 to 1988 he studied History at the Chechen-Ingush State University and received his master's degree. In the last two years of his University studies Kh. Bakayev began to specialize in studying the History of the Ancient East. As a student, he published around 40 scientific articles related to Vainakh (Chechen and Ingush) ethnogenesis. In the same period of time, Kh. Bakayev is actively involved in archaeological excavations in the former Chechen-Ingush Republic.

In 1987, Kh. Bakayev was recognized as the best scientifically oriented student for his outstanding achievements in the regional archaeological conferences and, as a result, he was sent to Moscow to participate in the XXII All-Union student archeological conference, where Khasan was awarded a diploma of the winner of the first degree. And in the same 1987, Kh. Bakayev (still a student) was invited to participate at the top level All-Union Scientific Conference titled "Caucasus and civilizations of the Ancient East", Vladikavkaz, Russia. This opportunity allowed him to contact and even debate with many world-known famous scientists like I.M. Dyakonov, G.A. Melikishvili, Viacheslav Vsev. Ivanov, O.M. Japaridze, S.A. Starostin, A.Y. Militarёv, etc.

From 1988 to 1990, after completing his studies at the University, Kh. Bakayev was engaged in archeology at the professional level. During these years he published a number of scientific papers and essays that identified the ethnic and cultural ties of the Vainakh peoples with the Ancient East.

In 1990, Kh. Bakayev got an opportunity to start the graduate school of Oriental Studies at St. Petersburg University under leadership of famous Oriental scientists as I.M. Dyakonov and B.B. Piotrowski. His topic of doctoral degree was the ancient Hurro-Urartian civilization, which existed from 2300 BC until 590 BC, and its ethno-cultural ties with the origin of the Chechens. At the same time, along with Dr. Rostunov, H. Bakaev was developing theory of Indo-European nature of the Kura–Araxes archeological culture (3400 BC - 2000 BC). During this period of time (1990-1992), Kh. Bakayev managed to publish number of scientific reports in Moscow and St. Petersburg based academic magazines.

Unfortunately, in 1992 Kh. Bakayev’s scientific career was interrupted due to the complicated political circumstances related to Russian mass-scale state terrorism activities against his fatherland, the Chechen Republic. And instead of continuing his brilliant scientific career, he had to turn into an ideological fighter as a journalist, to help his small nation, in educating his people in human rights and ethnical identity fields.

For this purpose, Kh. Bakayev published countless number of articles in the "Ichkeria" (“Ичкерия”) newspaper, the official daily gazette of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria. And in 1995 he even became the Chief of Editor of this newspaper. Moreover, in November 1996, when the First Russo-Chechen war was over, Kh. Bakayev founded another private newspaper named “The Chechen” (“Чеченец”) to make main focus in educating his suffering nation in the historical roots of the origin of the Chechens and their historical ties with other ancient and presently existing peoples.

In the meantime, Russians again started frequent actions to destabilize Chechnya and preparing situation for the second military campaign. In 1998-1999, Russian intelligence killed a lot of Chechen intellectuals. Kh. Bakayev had to make several trips to Baku, Azerbaijan, to prepare an alternative newspaper office there. Unfortunately, he found that even Azerbaijan is not safe place for the educated Chechens, who dared to confront Russian terrorism actions. And the second Russo-Chechen war had found Kh. Bakayev in Baku. He stayed in Azerbaijan as long as he can. However, in a few years Kh. Bakayev had to immigrate to the Western Europe, where he has been living until today. Finally, Kh. Bakayev found safe ground where he could resume his scientific work and journalism. For the past several years he has been able to publish a few books related to Chechen (Vainakh) ethnic history.

In March 6–8, 2015 the democratic Chechen Government in exile invited Mr. Khasan Bakayev to participate in the International Conference in Brussels, Belgium. And just before the Conference Kh. Bakayev managed to publish new book titled "The Forever War. Chechens through eyes of friends and enemies.” On behalf of the Government and the suffering Chechen people Mr. Ahmed Zakaev, the Prime-Minister of the Chechen Government, awarded Mr. Khassan Bakayev "Qoman Si" ("Honor of the Nation"), the highest National Order of Merit, with the wording: "For The Selfless Service For The Motherland. For The Selfless Work On The Information Front. And For The Long And Fruitful Scientific Work For The Chechen People.”