The Ingush Jama'at Shariat is a Muslim separatist group comprised of militants from Ingushetia and possibly Chechnya.  Their goal, to establish an Islamic state independent from Russia, reflects the common struggle of most militant groups in the Caucasus region.  The extremely violent and strict religious language used by the group is representative of militant groups in the region as well.  Even though estimates on group size are not available, a public statement in May 2006 from Amir Khabibulla, the Ingush Jama'at Shariat's leader, indicates that the group has ties to other active terrorist organizations in Kabarda-Balkaria, Karachay-Cherkessia, North Ossetia, Chechnya, and Dagestan.  Khabibulla specifically mentioned meeting with Shamil Basayev, leader of the Chechen-based Riyad us-Saliheyn Martyrs' Brigade.  <P>  <br />Khabibulla claimed a series of arson attacks on homes throughout Ingushetia occupied by "Russian colonists".  These actions were considered retribution for alleged violence and kidnapping carried out by the Russian Army directed at Ingush citizens.  He states that as long as the Russian colonization policy in the Caucasus region continues, these types of attacks will become more frequent.  <P><br /><br />On February 27th, 2006, Magomed Chakhkiyev was abducted by armed members of the Ingush Jama'at Shariat while traveling to Nazran, the former capital of Ingushetia.  Chakhkiyev, chairman of the Ingushetian legislature's Committee on Agrarian Policy and father-in-law of Ingushetian president Murat Zyazikov, was held captive for over two months.  In publicizing their demands, the Ingush Jama'at Shariat stated that they would release Chakhkiyev in exchange for the resignation of Zyazikov, a long-time ally of Vladimir Putin and the Russian Federation, or for the release of Islamic militants imprisoned in Ingushetia.  Even though no apparent arrangements were made by the government to meet those demands, Chakhkiyev was released along the Ingushetian-Chechen border on May 5th, 2006.  <br /> <br />