Kidnappings in Chechnya demonstrate Kadyrov’s confidence in his impunity

The kidnapping of relatives of Chechen activists, well-known for criticizing the authorities of Chechnya, became possible because of Ramzan Kadyrov’s confidence that such actions would remain unpunished for him, human rights defenders and activists note.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that from December 22 to 24, Ramzan Kadyrov’s critics Tumso Abdurakhmanov, Minkail Malizaev, and Khasan Khalitov announced that their relatives had been kidnapped in Chechnya. It was also reported about the kidnapping of relatives of Mansur Sadulaev, a founder of the “Vayfond”, and Aslan Artsuev, the director of the human rights organization “Human Rights Center Ichkeria”. On December 25, it became known about the kidnapping of 37 relatives of Abubakar Yangulbaev, a lawyer of the “Committee against Torture” (CaT). Ramzan Kadyrov voiced the version that “someone from those whom they (bloggers) insulted” might be involved in the kidnappings.

Abubakar Yangulbaev suggested that the kidnapping of his relatives was connected with the accusations that he and his brother Ibragim allegedly were administrators of a Telegram channel, well-known for criticising the authorities of Chechnya. According to Abubakar Yangulbaev, he and his brother have not been involved in the mentioned Telegram channel.

The reason for the kidnapping of relatives of Mansur Sadulaev, the head of the “Vayfond” association, was his harsh criticism of the Ramzan Kadyrov’s regime, said Maryam, the spokesperson for the “Vayfond” association.

The kidnapping could be a part of a carefully planned action or the result of Ramzan Kadyrov’s outburst of anger, Maryam said. She also mentioned the threats voiced by Ramzan Kadyrov and his associates against the critics of the Chechen authorities.

A series of kidnappings in Chechnya has demonstrated the expansion of the circle of those who have been attacked, from harsh critics of Ramzan Kadyrov to those who are simply engaged in some kind of foreign activity outside Grozny’s control, notes Svetlana Gannushkina, the chair of the “Civic Assistance” Committee*.

* The organization has been put on the register of foreign agents by the Russian Ministry of Justice (MoJ).