MOSCOW. April 13 (Interfax) - Moskovsky Komsomolets newspaper has published a photo believed to have been taken several weeks ago of former Chechen commander Sulim Yamadayev, who was shot dead in a car park in Dubai last March.
"We have obtained a 'fresh' photo of Sulim Yamadayev. It was provided to us by Sulim's brother Isa Yamadayev. He says this photo was taken several weeks ago in a hospital," Moskovsky Komsomolets reported on Tuesday.
"Isa Yamadayev alleges his brother is alive," the paper reported.
"He underwent several surgery operations and is expected to undergo a number of other complex operations. He is fine, we periodically exchange phone calls, mainly by Skype, we talk and he sends me photos. Life goes on as usual," Moskovsky Komsomolets quoted Isa Yamadayev as saying.
Sulim Yamadayev was assassinated near his apartment in Dubai in March 2009. However, his relatives have said he survived the attack and is being treated at a secret location in the United Arab Emirates.
On Monday, two men were sentenced to 25 years in prison for their role in the shooting. Maksudzhon Ismatov, a citizen of Tajikistan, and Mahdi Lornia from Iran will both be deported after serving their term in the United Arab Emirates.