17:50, 23 August 2017

Celebration of Akhmat Kadyrov’s 66th birthday is under increased security measures

Law enforcers. Grozny. Photo by Magomed Magomedov for "Caucasian Knot"

Today, Chechnya celebrates the birthday of Akhmat Kadyrov, a former head of Chechnya, who was killed in May 2004. The authorities timed a number of events to this date.

Residents of Grozny, the Chechen capital, report that in the morning law enforcers have set up posts in city centre and blocked traffic in several streets.

The republic’s Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) has stated that the enhanced security measures will last until August 24.

Soon after Akhmat Kadyrov’s death, a sort of his cult began to form. His name was awarded to an avenue in Grozny, a street in Moscow and the main sports complex of the capital of Chechnya (formerly “Dynamo”), as well as a mosque in Grozny – according to local authorities – the largest in Europe.

On August 22, Khoshi-Yurt (Tsentaroy), the Kadyrovs’ family village, hosted a large religious rite with the participation of all the trends of Sufism.

The Chechen Ministry of Culture has reported that the Chechen State Drama Theatre named after Khanpasha Nuradilov will hold the first night of the "On Victor’s Way", a play about Ahmat-Hadji Kadyrov, based on the play of the famous Chechen writer Musa Akhmadov.

Let us note here that the official status of Akhmat Kadyrov's birthday is ambiguously perceived by residents of Chechnya.

"In Islam, it's not customary to celebrate one’s birthday every year; however, Akhmat Kadyrov's birthdays are now almost main holidays," said Tamara, a teacher.

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

Source: CK correspondents