Ramzan Kadyrov's regime rests on Kremlin's fears, Ekaterina Sokiryanskaya asserts

The Russian authorities believe Ramzan Kadyrov is an indispensable person in the current model of relations with Chechnya, and the chances of the replacement of the leader the Chechen Republic are very small. This was stated by Ekaterina Sokiryanskaya, the project director for Northern Caucasus of the International Crisis Group (ICG) and a member of the Board of the Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial" member, in her exclusive interview to the "Caucasian Knot".

"According to the Kremlin, the resignation of Ramzan can result in the loss of control, and I believe that in the conditions of the economic crisis and the upcoming electoral cycle, Putin will not take such a risk," stated Ekaterina Sokiryanskaya.

The expert believes that the federal government grants and various financial charges imposed by the local authorities play a special role in the sustainability of the Chechen regime.

"In the conditions of the economic crisis, Chechnya is in a privileged position: even in case if the subsidies from the federal budget are cut, the federal authorities try to do it with minimal pain and try to index them. However, because of the depreciation of the rouble, the budget is short of money, and the Chechen elite got accustomed to live in luxury. The lack of funds will result in the increase in levies imposed on citizens of the republic and in the pressure on small and medium businesses. The Kremlin will most likely not react. Since there is a tacit agreement between the Kremlin and the Chechen elite in the face of Ramzan Kadyrov that they provide to the federal centre the combat against armed underground, absence of protests and excellent results of the election. In return, they are guaranteed support and impunity," Ekaterina Sokiryanskaya has described the model of financial relations between officials of Moscow and Grozny.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.