Kremlin-backed Chechen leader appoints his 20-year-old son as deputy head of Chechnya

Kremlin-backed Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov has appointed his 20-year-old son Akhmat as acting deputy head of the government of this region of Russia, while he retains his post as minister of sport.

Source: Radio Liberty

Details: A similar promotion was granted to Akhmed Dudayev, the minister for national policy, external relations and the press and information. According to Ramzan Kadyrov, the changes were made at the request of Prime Minister Magomed Daudov. Kadyrov announced the new appointments on his Telegram channel, describing them as "minor personnel changes".

Kadyrov did not specify whether his son's appointment is linked to the Chechen leader's own health problems. Ahead of the New Year, media outlets reported that Kadyrov had been taken to hospital in Moscow, though this has not been officially confirmed.

In addition to Akhmat Kadyrov, several other relatives of the regional head hold positions in the Chechen government. For example, Ramzan Kadyrov's daughter Khadizhat was appointed first deputy head of the administration of the head and government of Chechnya at the age of 24.

At 18, Akhmat Kadyrov became deputy minister of sport in Chechnya and minister for youth affairs, as well as president of the Akhmat football club.

Adam Kadyrov, another son of the Kremlin-backed leader, became his father's "head of security" and curator of the Sheikh Mansur Battalion at the age of 16. He was later appointed by Ramzan Kadyrov as curator of the so-called Vladimir Putin Russian University of Special Forces in Gudermes.

In total, around 100 members of the Kadyrov family are linked to positions of power, the highest figure in Russia. According to the Russian media outlet Proekt, Russian ruler Vladimir Putin ranks second, with more than 20 of his relatives holding senior posts.

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