Alexander Barkashov | |
|---|---|
| Алекса́ндр Петро́вич Баркашо́в | |
 Barkashov in 2008 | |
| Born | (1953-10-06)6 October 1953 |
| Nationality | Russian |
| Citizenship | Russia |
| Known for | Russian neo-Nazi activist |
| Works | ABC of a Russian Nationalist |
| Political party | Russian National Unity |
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Alexander Petrovich Barkashov (Russian:Алекса́ндр Петро́вич Баркашо́в, sometimes transliterated asAleksandr; born 6 October 1953) is a Russian political leader andfar-rightnationalist who in 1990 foundedRussian National Unity, aneo-fascistparamilitary organization.
On 16 October 1990, Barkashov and a few dozen followers gathered at his home on Moscow's Dubinin Street and founded "the National Unity for a Free Strong Just Russia" (soon shortened to "theRussian National Unity", and informally among theBarkashovtsy [Barkashovites]: "the Unity" [Yedinstvo]). Historian Walter Laqueur writes that Barkashov stated in an interview that he is a Nazi.[1]
During theRussian constitutional crisis of 1993, Barkashov led RNU fighters in their defense of theRussian White House againstBoris Yeltsin's forces.[2] Escaping arrest by fleeing Moscow, Barkashov took refuge in a nearbydacha. Shot in the thigh during an evening stroll, Barkashov was brought to a hospital, where a nurse recognized him. Barkashov was imprisoned on charges of organizing and inciting mass disorder and illegally bearing arms. In early 1994, the newly electedDuma grantedamnesty to Barkashov.[3]
In 1994, Barkashov published his book,Azbuka russkogo natsionalista (ABC of a Russian Nationalist), which became the primary source of the RNU's platform.[4]
At the end of February 1999, one opinion poll ranked Barkashov as one of Russia's 10 most recognizable politicians.[5]On 2 December 2005 Barkashov together with three of his followers was detained and arrested for "attacking a police officer". According to the press-release of the RNU,[6]
On 6 November 2009 Barkashov formed the movement ″Union of the Defenders of Russia - October 1993″ together withVladislav Achalov and Stanislav Terekhov, the leader of the Union of Officers.[7]
During theRusso-Ukrainian War, Barkashov actively supports the Russian-backed separatists. In a leaked audio recording from spring 2014, Barkashov consulted Dmitri Boitsov, the leader of theRussian Orthodox Army.[8] According to Barkahsov's words, his own son fought with a column of pro-Russian fighters against Ukraine.[9]
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