MOSCOW, February 15 (RIA Novosti) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed Alu Alkhanov as Chechen president and appointed him a deputy Russian justice minister.
Putin said he granted Alkhanov's request to transfer him to another job.
Alkhanov's presidential term was to end in 2008, but he said in January that he would not like to stay for a second term.
The Russian leader also appointed Chechen Prime Minister Ramzan Kadyrov acting president of the North Caucasus republic.
Kadyrov has been Chechen prime minister since March 2006.
