Contents tagged with Chechnya

  • Chechen ombudsman demands criminal case be brought against Russian journalist

    Chechen ombudsman Nurdi Nukhazhiyev addressed the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation (SKR) with an appeal to open a criminal case against Elena Milashina, a correspondent with Novaya Gazeta. From the ombudsman’s official website he accused Milashina of spreading false information about Magomed Daudov, Speaker of the Chechen Parliament. Nukhazhiyev alleged that Milashina’s aim was to discredit the speaker’s honor and dignity.

    The issue is based on Milashina’s article published in …

  • Kadyrov's spokesman files request to open criminal case against Russian opposition leader Ilya Yashin

    Alvi Karimov, spokesman for Chechen head Ramzan Kadyrov, has filed a request to open a criminal case against Russian opposition leader Ilya Yashin, who recently published a report criticizing the leader of Chechnya.

    The request was filed with the Russian Investigative Committee and Prosecutor General, Interfax reported.

    Karimov said that the report written by PARNAS’ Deputy Chairman Ilya Yashin was done in a “provocative and aggressive manner” directed against Kadyrov and the people of …

  • Amnesty International: Russia fails to protect those who defend human rights

    Amnesty International released a statement on Friday in which it criticized the Russian government for failing to protect those who promote human rights.

    According to Amnesty International, the violent attack on human rights defenders and journalists in the Russian territory of Ingeshetia “is further evidence of the authorities’ abject failure to protect those who work to safeguard human rights.”

    The statement comes after members of the Committee for the Prevention of Torture as well as …

  • Journalists and human rights activists attacked on road from Ingushetia to Chechnya

    Photo: RIA Novosti

    Members of the Committee for the Prevention of Torture as well as Russian and foreign journalists were attacked while travelling on a road from Ingushetia to Chechnya, as reported by Dozhd.

    According to a member of the human rights organization, Dmitry Utukina, a van was attacked that was carrying human rights activities and journalists from Russia, Norway, and Sweden.

    Utukina told a Dozhd reporter that two employees of the Committee for the Prevention of Torture were …

  • Sources suggest Kadyrov given green light to run for reelection

    Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov received the green light from Russian President Vladimir Putin to run for another term in Chechnya’s upcoming elections, despite statements by Kadyrov saying he is ready to leave the post, as reported by RBC citing three sources close to the presidential administration and the leadership of the Autonomous Chechen Republic.

    As stated by RBC’s sources, Kadyrov will indeed run for reelection in September, and all statements regarding the former Chechen rebel’s …

  • Yashin: 30,000 Chechen soldiers are loyal only to Kadyrov

    Law enforcement organizations in Chechnya, which were created on the basis of nationality, consist of a total of 30,000 people.  These people follow the command of Ramzan Kadyrov, the Head of the Chechen Republic.  This was stated in a report entitled “National Security Threats”.

    Ilya Yashin, a friend of murdered Russian opposition politician Boris Nemtsov, wrote the report in preparation for the anniversary of Nemtsov’s death.  The New Times published a chapter from this report on the 22nd of …

  • Kadyrov: Chechen Special Forces are in Syria Fighting against Islamic State

    The head of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, said that the Chechen Special Forces are fighting against members of the so-called Islamic State in Syria.  He also announced the creation of an extensive intelligence network within the so-called Islamic State, where "the best soldiers of the Republic" were sent to infiltrate the extremist group.

    "It is time to talk about those who contribute to the success of the Russian Air Force globally and are paying the price of their own lives," as stated in a …

  • Putin praises Kadyrov as 'effective' and 'efficient'

    Russian President Vladmir Putin deemed the actions of Ramzan Kadyrov, the head of the Chechen Republic, as “effective”.  He cited this during the inter-regional forum of the All-Russia People’s Front, which was held in Stavropol.  

    Putin went on to state, “Those living there [in Chechnya] have done this.  Thanks to the first president of the Republic… to the current head, he is working efficiently.”

    On January 12th, Kadyrov called the representatives of Russian non-system opposition “public …

  • Authorities in Moscow reject application for anti-Kadyrov rally

    City authorities in Moscow have rejected an application submitted by the liberal Yabloko party to hold a public rally to call for the removal of Ramzan Kadyrov, the head of the Chechen Republic.

    Radio Free Europe reported that Yabloko instead plans to hold a rotating one-person picket on January 26th in front of President Putin’s administration building, as public demonstrations in Russia of more than one person must be approved by the authorities. Russian opposition groups report that it is …

  • Amnesty International Urges Moscow to Respond to Kadyrov's Statements

    Threats made by the head of the Chechen Republic against opposition leaders, the media, and human rights activists have raised the concern of Amnesty International. The organization notes that it's dangerous to do human rights work and openly criticize the government in Russia.

    International human rights organization Amnesty International (AI) has urged the Russian authorities to "immediately and unhesitatingly" respond to the harsh statements of the head of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, which …