Akhiadov Received $151K in Crypto to Carry Out 'Terrorist Attack’

Russian authorities allege that MMA fighter Lamberd Akhiadov received $151,000 in cryptocurrency and cash before orchestrating a planned terrorist attack on 31 December 2022.

Akhiadov was arrested on 2 January 2023, on suspicion of murdering a traffic control officer near Moscow’s Zaryadye Park.

Investigators claim he transferred the funds to his relatives' crypto wallets and bank accounts while in Turkey before returning to Russia to carry out the attack.

Authorities report that Akhiadov relocated his wife, siblings, and mother from Grozny, Chechnya, to Istanbul over a five-month period to avoid raising suspicion.

Officials suspect Akhiadov pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (ISIS) before the attack, which they believe was initially intended as a mass shooting but ultimately failed.

Original Attack Intended as Mass Shooting?

Russian authorities believe that Akhiadov intended to steal a police officer’s weapon and launch a shooting spree, possibly targeting civilians in Zaryadye Park.

However, in a tragic turn of events, Akhiadov mistakenly attacked a Moscow Administrative Road Inspectorate (MADI) officer, confusing him for a police officer due to their similar uniforms.

The attack resulted in at least 16 fatal wounds to the officer’s vital organs.

Akhiadov reportedly resisted arrest and sprayed pepper spray at an officer during his capture.

Born on 11 August 1994, Akhiadov was a former fighter in the Absolute Championship Akhmat (ACA), a Chechnya-based MMA promotion.

After his debut in 2014 and his last fight in 2019, Akhiadov has maintained his innocence.

If convicted, he faces a potential life sentence.

He has been placed on Russia's official list of terrorists and extremists, allegedly due to his connections with ISIS.