Alexander Barkashov
Encyclopedia
Alexander Petrovich Barkashov (sometimes transliterated as Aleksandr) (born 6 October 1953) is a Russia
n political leader on the extreme right. In 1990, Barkashov founded an ultra-nationalist
political party
and paramilitary
organization called Russian National Unity
.
, of peasant roots, Barkashov's father was an electrician and his mother was a nurse. Barkashov left school in 1971 and entered the military where he served in Belarus
. After his discharge, he returned to Moscow and found employment in an underground thermal energy station as an electrician-fitter. While uninterested in his work, he was passionate about reading books about great conquerors of history (especially Alexander the Great and Genghis Khan
), learning karate
(even setting up his own club), and making weapons (bow
s and dagger
s) with his own hands.
Barkashov joined Pamyat
in 1985 and rose quickly within its ranks. He was elected to the Central Council within a year, and by 1989 was second only to Dmitri Vasilyev. Conflict between Barkashov and Vasilyev resulted in Barkashov leading, in his words, "the most disciplined and active members, dissatisfied with empty talk and theatrical stunts, out of Pamyat". While considering other organizations to join, Barkashov and friends decided to create their own. 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 "the Russian National Unity
", and informally among the Barkashovtsy [Barkashovites]: "the Unity" [Yedinstvo]). Historian Walter Laqueur writes that Barkashov stated in an interview that he is a Nazi.
During the Russian constitutional crisis of 1993
, Barkashov led RNU fighters in their defense of the Russian White House against Boris Yeltsin
's forces. Escaping arrest by fleeing Moscow, Barkashov took refuge in a nearby dacha
. Shot in the thigh during an evening strall, 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 elected Duma
granted amnesty
to Barkashov.
In 1994, Barkashov published his book Azbuka russkogo natsionalista (ABC of a Russian Nationalist), which became the primary source of the RNU's platform.
At the end of February 1999, one opinion poll ranked Barkashov as one of Russia's 10 most recognizable politicians. Barkashov ran in the 2000 Russian presidential election
. Barkashov remains the leader of the RNU (which, after numerous splits is often defined as the "RNU of A.P.Barkashov").
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, Barkashov himself was attacked and injured by the police officer who penetrated into Barkashov's residence.
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n political leader on the extreme right. In 1990, Barkashov founded an ultra-nationalist
Nationalism
Nationalism is a political ideology that involves a strong identification of a group of individuals with a political entity defined in national terms, i.e. a nation. In the 'modernist' image of the nation, it is nationalism that creates national identity. There are various definitions for what...
political party
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
and paramilitary
Paramilitary
A paramilitary is a force whose function and organization are similar to those of a professional military, but which is not considered part of a state's formal armed forces....
organization called Russian National Unity
Russian National Unity
Russian National Unity or All-Russian civic patriotic movement "Russian National Unity" , is a far right, fascist political party and paramilitary organization based in Russia and operating in states with Russian-speaking populations. It was founded by the ultra-nationalist Alexander Barkashov...
.
Biography
Born in MoscowMoscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
, of peasant roots, Barkashov's father was an electrician and his mother was a nurse. Barkashov left school in 1971 and entered the military where he served in Belarus
Belarus
Belarus , officially the Republic of Belarus, is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe, bordered clockwise by Russia to the northeast, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the northwest. Its capital is Minsk; other major cities include Brest, Grodno , Gomel ,...
. After his discharge, he returned to Moscow and found employment in an underground thermal energy station as an electrician-fitter. While uninterested in his work, he was passionate about reading books about great conquerors of history (especially Alexander the Great and Genghis Khan
Genghis Khan
Genghis Khan , born Temujin and occasionally known by his temple name Taizu , was the founder and Great Khan of the Mongol Empire, which became the largest contiguous empire in history after his death....
), learning karate
Karate
is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...
(even setting up his own club), and making weapons (bow
Bow (weapon)
The bow and arrow is a projectile weapon system that predates recorded history and is common to most cultures.-Description:A bow is a flexible arc that shoots aerodynamic projectiles by means of elastic energy. Essentially, the bow is a form of spring powered by a string or cord...
s and dagger
Dagger
A dagger is a fighting knife with a sharp point designed or capable of being used as a thrusting or stabbing weapon. The design dates to human prehistory, and daggers have been used throughout human experience to the modern day in close combat confrontations...
s) with his own hands.
Barkashov joined Pamyat
Pamyat
Pamyat is a Russian nationalist organization identifying itself as the "People's National-patriotic Orthodox Christian movement." The group's stated focus is preserving Russian culture.- History :...
in 1985 and rose quickly within its ranks. He was elected to the Central Council within a year, and by 1989 was second only to Dmitri Vasilyev. Conflict between Barkashov and Vasilyev resulted in Barkashov leading, in his words, "the most disciplined and active members, dissatisfied with empty talk and theatrical stunts, out of Pamyat". While considering other organizations to join, Barkashov and friends decided to create their own. 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 "the Russian National Unity
Russian National Unity
Russian National Unity or All-Russian civic patriotic movement "Russian National Unity" , is a far right, fascist political party and paramilitary organization based in Russia and operating in states with Russian-speaking populations. It was founded by the ultra-nationalist Alexander Barkashov...
", and informally among the Barkashovtsy [Barkashovites]: "the Unity" [Yedinstvo]). Historian Walter Laqueur writes that Barkashov stated in an interview that he is a Nazi.
During the Russian constitutional crisis of 1993
Russian constitutional crisis of 1993
The constitutional crisis of 1993 was a political stand-off between the Russian president and the Russian parliament that was resolved by using military force. The relations between the president and the parliament had been deteriorating for a while...
, Barkashov led RNU fighters in their defense of the Russian White House against Boris Yeltsin
Boris Yeltsin
Boris Nikolayevich Yeltsin was the first President of the Russian Federation, serving from 1991 to 1999.Originally a supporter of Mikhail Gorbachev, Yeltsin emerged under the perestroika reforms as one of Gorbachev's most powerful political opponents. On 29 May 1990 he was elected the chairman of...
's forces. Escaping arrest by fleeing Moscow, Barkashov took refuge in a nearby dacha
Dacha
Dacha is a Russian word for seasonal or year-round second homes often located in the exurbs of Soviet and post-Soviet cities. Cottages or shacks serving as family's main or only home are not considered dachas, although many purpose-built dachas are recently being converted for year-round residence...
. Shot in the thigh during an evening strall, 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 elected Duma
Duma
A Duma is any of various representative assemblies in modern Russia and Russian history. The State Duma in the Russian Empire and Russian Federation corresponds to the lower house of the parliament. Simply it is a form of Russian governmental institution, that was formed during the reign of the...
granted amnesty
Amnesty
Amnesty is a legislative or executive act by which a state restores those who may have been guilty of an offense against it to the positions of innocent people, without changing the laws defining the offense. It includes more than pardon, in as much as it obliterates all legal remembrance of the...
to Barkashov.
In 1994, Barkashov published his book Azbuka russkogo natsionalista (ABC of a Russian Nationalist), which became the primary source of the RNU's platform.
At the end of February 1999, one opinion poll ranked Barkashov as one of Russia's 10 most recognizable politicians. Barkashov ran in the 2000 Russian presidential election
Russian presidential election, 2000
Russian presidential elections were held on 26 March 2000. Incumbent Prime Minister, and acting President Vladimir Putin, who had succeeded Boris Yeltsin on his resignation December 31, 1999, was seeking a four-year term in his own right and won the elections in the first round. Polling stations...
. Barkashov remains the leader of the RNU (which, after numerous splits is often defined as the "RNU of A.P.Barkashov").
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, Barkashov himself was attacked and injured by the police officer who penetrated into Barkashov's residence.
External links
- Alexander Barkashov's web site (russian)
- Key leader profile: Aleksandr P. Barkashov, at the MIPT Terrorism Knowledge BaseMIPT Terrorism Knowledge BaseThe MIPT Terrorism Knowledge Base was an online portal containing information on terrorist incidents, leaders, groups, and related court cases. The TKB ceased operations on 31 March 2008. TKB was sponsored by the National Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism , a non-profit...
(includes three photos). - Aleksandr Petrovich Barkashov at the NUPI Centre for Russian Studies' Database.
- Russian Fascism and Russian Fascists by Kirill Buketov.
- Alexander Barkashov and the Rise of National Socialism in Russia by John B. Dunlop (click here for PDF).
- Antisemitism in Russia, 1995-97 by the Union of Councils for Jews in the Former Soviet Union.
- What is Happening inside Russia? by Dr. Tankred Golenpolsky, in The Jewish Magazine.