Kadyrov’s rise: how Putin secured loyalty in Chechnya
Over two decades ago, the Kadyrov family rose to power in Chechnya thanks to Vladimir Putin. Ramzan's father received 5 million dollars in cash and a house in Sochi in exchange for loyalty.
The Kadyrov family came to power in Chechnya in 1999. With the outbreak of the Second Chechen War, the Kremlin began appointing pro-Russian candidates to vital administrative positions who did not push for separating the republic from Russia.
Movladi "Ruslan" Atlangeriev, a thief recruited by the FSB and leader of the Lazan criminal group, played an important role.
To put it plainly, Vladimir Putin bribed the Chechens to stand by his side. Akhmad Kadyrov, who had previously declared jihad (holy war) against Russia, agreed to take the position of head of Chechnya's administration.
In exchange for loyalty to the Kremlin, Russian authorities offered candidates for the head of Chechnya 5 million dollars in cash or a house in Sochi. Akhmad Kadyrov received not only the whole of Chechnya but also a prayer rug, which he was particularly proud of, as a gift from Putin.
In 2003, Kadyrov won the presidential election in Chechnya. According to the investigation, the Kremlin was prepared to bribe other candidates (particularly businessman Malik Saidullaev) in these elections so they would not disrupt Kadyrov's victory.
Ramzan Kadyrov, Akhmad Kadyrov's youngest and favourite son, has served as the commander of his father's armed unit since 2000. He assists the FSB in searching for separatist supporters in Chechnya.
Conflict with Putin. Ramzan's father died
On May 9, 2004, Akhmad Kadyrov, who had begun having disagreements with the Kremlin, died in an explosion during a parade at Dynamo Stadium in Grozny. The bomb was planted directly beneath the seat occupied by senior Kadyrov.
The head of Chechnya's State Council, Khusein Isayev, who was sitting to Kadyrov's left, also died, and the commander of Russia's army in the Caucasus, General Valery Baranov, who was seated to his right, was injured.
Ramzan Kadyrov was not with his father that day but in Moscow. Putin immediately received him and offered condolences. According to a former official in Moscow, it was during this meeting that Putin made it clear to Ramzan Kadyrov that he would be the next leader of Chechnya.
The Kremlin shows excellent patience toward the antics of the Chechen authorities. It turns a blind eye to mass extrajudicial killings of Russian citizens and tolerates murderers and kidnappers who roam the country, eliminating people who have offended Kadyrov.
It allows the existence of concentration camps where those who have offended the authorities end up. Perpetrators of crimes approved by the authorities face no punishment. Moreover, federal investigative bodies have no access to the republic's territory.
