Last Updated on July 24, 2020, 8:35 PM AST by Anthony Morris
The Russian President, Vladimir Putin has awarded Ramzan Kadyrov, the Chechen President with the rank of major general.
Ramzan Kadyrov was linked to the torture, killing and disappearance of hundreds of people.
Kadyrov said that the Russian President had called Kadyrov personally and read out the executive order.
He wrote that it is a high distinction that he values highly.
He added that he is the president’s loyal soldier and that he is ready to carry out any order by the President on any continent.
The move of giving him the award has come less than three days after the United States State Department announced his blacklisting along with his family.
Mike Pompeo, Secretary of state, On Monday, said that the sanctions imposed by the US were the result of numerous violations of human rights which were gross and they dated back to over a decade.
The award appeared to be a direct response to the United States’ sanctions and it was trailed two days ago when Maria Zakharova, the foreign ministry spokesperson first responded to the move of the US.
She said that it would be difficult to respond reciprocally, but Russia would think up something.
In a message on Telegram, he posted a picture of himself brandishing two guns.
However, Kadyrov’s Instagram and Facebook accounts have been suspended. The caption of his photo said, “Pompeo, we accept the fight!”.
The caption also added that what comes next would be even more interesting.
After assuming power in 2004 from his assassinated father, the tiger-loving strongman has ruled Chechnya.
The strongman enjoys autonomy unrivalled among any other regional leader which is the result of a grand security bargain to keep order after two wars with Moscow.
The strongman used the deal for delivering personal riches and a regime of terror, with critics disappearing in mysterious circumstances every now and then.
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
