Chechnya leader calls for war on Putins critics
We will save Russia if we dont spare the enemy, Kadyrov wrote, calling himself Putins foot soldier
AFP, Chechnya: The strongman leader of Russias Chechnya region Ramzan Kadyrov on Tuesday threatened to eradicate the enemy opposition in Russia, raising more concerns about the fate of Kremlin critics and independent media in the country.
Kadyrov, who rules with an iron grip the North Caucasus region that was the scene of two separatist wars, penned a lengthy diatribe in pro-Kremlin daily Izvestiya against the critics of President Vladimir Putin, calling them a gang of jackals who dream of destroying our state.
We will save Russia if we dont spare the enemy, Kadyrov wrote, calling himself Putins foot soldier and offering to put the opposition in a Chechen asylum where there wont be a shortage of injections.
The latest broadside by former rebel Kadyrov -- accused by human rights groups of overseeing torture, extrajudicial executions and corruption -- came after he last week called the countrys liberal independent media enemies of Russia that seek to sow chaos in the Caucasus and beyond.
The remarks caused a furore and several people publically criticised Kadyrov, with one local lawmaker in Siberia Konstantin Senchenko calling the Chechen strongman the shame of Russia for amassing vast personal wealth and abusing his political
post.
Senchenko later apologised, writing that he talked to some Chechen people and became convinced in the authority of the leader of Chechnya, in comments that were interpreted by many as a thinly-veiled announcement that he had received threats on his life.
Several people who have challenged Kadyrovs grip on power have been killed in the past, including investigative reporter Anna Politkovskaya and rights activist Natalia Estemirova.
Chechens are also thought to be behind the murder of opposition critic Boris Nemtsov who was gunned down last February next to the Kremlin, and two suspects are reportedly linked to an armed squad answerable to Kadyrov.
Editor of liberal Echo of Moscow radio, which has been targeted by Kadyrovs recent rhetoric, said he is seeking to beef up security at the station.
Russian independent media questioned Kadyrovs aggressive criticism, wondering whether he has been sanctioned by the Kremlin or is playing his own game to secure his position amid an economic crisis and ahead of legislative elections this year.
Regardless of the reasons for the Chechen leaders media activity, its easy to see the gravity of its consequences, wrote Vedomosti daily, warning that some supporters may view his article as a call for action.
