Criticism of Kadyrov's cadre decisions forced him to find excuses

Most of Kadyrov's relatives hold rank-and-file positions in law enforcement structures, the head of Chechnya himself has stated in response to criticism of his cadre decisions. At the same time, he admitted that the kinship with Akhmat-haji Kadyrov (Ramzan's father) promotes a career in Chechnya. In his turn, Ruslan Kutaev has noted that selection of people for new positions is made not by their professionalism, but by the degree of personal devotion.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that this February Ramzan Kadyrov made some reshuffling within the Chechen government. Thus, on February 10, he appointed his nephew, Ibragim Zakriev, who was the Mayor of Grozny, to the post of the head of the united administration of the head and government of Chechnya.

Speaking on air of the "Grozny" TV channel, Kadyrov praised his nephews' achievements in their previous posts.

In their turn, analysts believe that the appointments of Kadyrov's nephews, Khamzat Kadyrov and Ibragim Zakriev, were caused by Kadyrov's desire to strengthen his power.

"Kadyrov surrounds himself with people whom he trusts the most – his relatives," Mikhail Roschin, an Orientalist, has noted.

As a rule, the appointment by Kadyrov of his relatives to top positions is perceived indifferently in Chechnya, Aslan, a local resident, has noted.

"People are preoccupied with their own problems, which abound. Our people have become apolitical; and few people are already playing authorities' games; and re-appointing of practically same people from post to post," he believes.