Accessibility links

Breaking News

Kadyrov Inaugurated For Another Term As Chechnya's Leader


Ramzan Kadyrov (center) applauds after his inauguration ceremony for a third term in Grozny on October 5.
Ramzan Kadyrov (center) applauds after his inauguration ceremony for a third term in Grozny on October 5.

Chechnya’s Ramzan Kadyrov has been formally inaugurated for another term as head of the volatile Russian region.

Speaking at his inauguration ceremony in Grozny on October 5, Kadyrov promised to ensure steady economic growth, cut unemployment, and protect social stability.

Kadyrov said “a huge focus must be on the work of the spiritual and moral upbringing of young people” in order to prevent recruitment by Islamic extremists.

He said "it is important that young people obtain religious knowledge in accordance with the norms of the Koran and Sunnah,” the traditional social and legal practices of Islam.

The 39-year-old Kadyrov, who is backed by Putin and has led Chechnya since 2007, won reelection on September 18 with more than 97 percent of the official vote tally.

But activists blame Kadyrov and his paramilitary forces for serious rights abuses, including the widespread use of kidnapping, torture, and extrajudicial killing.

Based on reporting by TASS, Interfax, Reuters, and AP

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.

To find out more, click here.

XS
SM
MD
LG