- Sputnik International
Russia
The latest news and stories from Russia. Stay tuned for updates and breaking news on defense, politics, economy and more.

Chechen President Kadyrov denies 'cult of personality'

Subscribe
Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov has denied he is the focus of a cult of personality in the Russian North Caucasus republic.
MOSCOW, August 8 (RIA Novosti) - Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov has denied he is the focus of a cult of personality in the Russian North Caucasus republic.

He was answering a question from a RIA Novosti correspondent concerning the October 5 celebrations of the 190th anniversary of the founding of Grozny, the Chechen capital.

October 5 is Kadyrov's 32nd birthday, while the generally accepted date of the founding of Grozny is June 22, 1818.

"The fact that City Day is to be celebrated on October 5 is not my decision. It was the decision of the general public," Kadyrov said.

"I would have preferred this date not to coincide with my personal celebration," the former boxer said. "This is no cause to talk about a cult of personality. If the Chechen people have chosen this date, then this should be respected."

He did not elaborate on how the date for the City Day celebrations was chosen.

The Chechen capital was the epicenter of two brutal separatist wars in the 1990s and early 2000s. Under Kadyrov, Chechnya is returning to something resembling normality, although militant attacks occur sporadically.

However, Kadyrov and his personal security service have been accused of abductions by human rights groups. His critics have also frequently accused him of perpetuating a "cult of personality" in the republic.

The term "cult of personality" was used in 1956 by Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev in a secret speech to the Communist Party Congress to denounce Joseph Stalin's rule.

Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала