Moscow's endorsement of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov for another term is a bid to ensure stability in the crucial region, in a move analysts said turns a blind eye to the strongman's faults.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday said Kadyrov, in power since 2007, would continue as acting leader until elections in September after long remaining silent on the fate of the Chechen leader, who has faced mounting criticism from opponents.
Kadyrov's call to eliminate Russia's "enemy" opposition and the alleged involvement of his circle in the murder of Kremlin critic Boris Nemtsov in February 2015 stirred talk that Moscow's loyal vassal had gone rogue and could be dismissed.
But in a televised meeting with Kadyrov on Friday, Putin ended speculation by praising the 39-year former rebel fighter for having "transformed" the region, ravaged by two separatist wars in the 1990s and early 2000s.
"There were simply no other candidates for the position," said Alexei Malashenko, an analyst at the Carnegie Center in Moscow.
"There is nothing surprising in Putin's decision."
With carte blanche and unlimited funds from the Kremlin in exchange for loyalty to Moscow, Kadyrov has built a system that has brought Chechnya under his thumb at the expense of human rights and freedom of expression.
Authorities in Moscow have done little to confront violations perpetrated in the region, including recent attacks against rights activists and journalists, knowing that dismissing or simply rebuking Kadyrov could destabilise the region.
"The Kremlin understands that if Ramzan Kadyrov wasn't there, unpredictable things could happen in the region," including internal fighting that could fuel armed conflict, Malashenko said.
"He keeps the situation under control and those who don't like him at least respect him."
Columnist Maria Zheleznova of Vedomosti business daily argued that replacing Kadyrov would be "too costly" for the Kremlin, which is counting on him to smother extremism in the region and ensure it remains loyal to Moscow.
- Out of control? -
Although he praised Kadyrov as a "good manager", Putin advised him to act in "closer coordination with federal organs of power" and "observe Russian law in all spheres of life".
Putin's recommendations come as concern grows within the federal security forces that Chechenya -- whose police force answers to Kadyrov -- is increasingly beyond the state's control.
Last April, Kadyrov ordered his security service to "shoot to kill" officers from other Russian regions carrying out operations in Chechnya without his consent.
"Federal security forces have been trying to even out the inequalities so that Kadyrov -- who constitutes an exception among the country's regional leaders -- will have fewer real powers," political analyst Alexei Makarkin said.
"In this power competition, the president is the arbitrator. He has to make sure not to offend either side."
But in catering to Kadyrov, the Kremlin has effectively undermined human rights in the region, setting the bar low for acceptable treatment of the opposition and rights activists.
"Kadyrov's re-appointment gives the feeling that the opinion of rights activists counts very little -- if at all -- for authorities," Makarkin said.
Earlier this month, masked men in the Chechen capital of Grozny threw eggs, flour and disinfectant at Igor Kalyapin, head of the Committee to Prevent Torture, a rights group which oversees activists in Chechnya.
The Kremlin rights council, an advisory body to Putin, condemned the attack on Kalyapin as "a disgrace".
In a separate incident earlier this month, a group of journalists on a tour of Chechnya organised by Kalyapin were attacked by masked men speaking Chechen. The NGO's office was raided hours later.
But even Kalyapin recognises that, despite permitting gross human rights violations, Kadyrov could well be the Kremlin's only option.
"If someone was to replace Kadyrov now, there would be bloodshed," Kalyapin told Moskovsky Komsomolets newspaper.
Moscow’s endorsement of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov for another term is a bid to ensure stability in the crucial region, in a move analysts said turns a blind eye to the strongman’s faults.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday said Kadyrov, in power since 2007, would continue as acting leader until elections in September after long remaining silent on the fate of the Chechen leader, who has faced mounting criticism from opponents.
Kadyrov’s call to eliminate Russia’s “enemy” opposition and the alleged involvement of his circle in the murder of Kremlin critic Boris Nemtsov in February 2015 stirred talk that Moscow’s loyal vassal had gone rogue and could be dismissed.
But in a televised meeting with Kadyrov on Friday, Putin ended speculation by praising the 39-year former rebel fighter for having “transformed” the region, ravaged by two separatist wars in the 1990s and early 2000s.
“There were simply no other candidates for the position,” said Alexei Malashenko, an analyst at the Carnegie Center in Moscow.
“There is nothing surprising in Putin’s decision.”
With carte blanche and unlimited funds from the Kremlin in exchange for loyalty to Moscow, Kadyrov has built a system that has brought Chechnya under his thumb at the expense of human rights and freedom of expression.
Authorities in Moscow have done little to confront violations perpetrated in the region, including recent attacks against rights activists and journalists, knowing that dismissing or simply rebuking Kadyrov could destabilise the region.
“The Kremlin understands that if Ramzan Kadyrov wasn’t there, unpredictable things could happen in the region,” including internal fighting that could fuel armed conflict, Malashenko said.
“He keeps the situation under control and those who don’t like him at least respect him.”
Columnist Maria Zheleznova of Vedomosti business daily argued that replacing Kadyrov would be “too costly” for the Kremlin, which is counting on him to smother extremism in the region and ensure it remains loyal to Moscow.
– Out of control? –
Although he praised Kadyrov as a “good manager”, Putin advised him to act in “closer coordination with federal organs of power” and “observe Russian law in all spheres of life”.
Putin’s recommendations come as concern grows within the federal security forces that Chechenya — whose police force answers to Kadyrov — is increasingly beyond the state’s control.
Last April, Kadyrov ordered his security service to “shoot to kill” officers from other Russian regions carrying out operations in Chechnya without his consent.
“Federal security forces have been trying to even out the inequalities so that Kadyrov — who constitutes an exception among the country’s regional leaders — will have fewer real powers,” political analyst Alexei Makarkin said.
“In this power competition, the president is the arbitrator. He has to make sure not to offend either side.”
But in catering to Kadyrov, the Kremlin has effectively undermined human rights in the region, setting the bar low for acceptable treatment of the opposition and rights activists.
“Kadyrov’s re-appointment gives the feeling that the opinion of rights activists counts very little — if at all — for authorities,” Makarkin said.
Earlier this month, masked men in the Chechen capital of Grozny threw eggs, flour and disinfectant at Igor Kalyapin, head of the Committee to Prevent Torture, a rights group which oversees activists in Chechnya.
The Kremlin rights council, an advisory body to Putin, condemned the attack on Kalyapin as “a disgrace”.
In a separate incident earlier this month, a group of journalists on a tour of Chechnya organised by Kalyapin were attacked by masked men speaking Chechen. The NGO’s office was raided hours later.
But even Kalyapin recognises that, despite permitting gross human rights violations, Kadyrov could well be the Kremlin’s only option.
“If someone was to replace Kadyrov now, there would be bloodshed,” Kalyapin told Moskovsky Komsomolets newspaper.
