Appointment of Kadyrov's son-in-law to high MIA post triggers scepticism in Chechnya

Viskhan Matsuev, a 22-year-old son-in-law of Ramzan Kadyrov, was appointed head of the Migration Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) of Chechnya, because of his work experience, and not because he is Kadyrov's relative, Akhmed Dudaev, Director of the "Grozny" ChGTRK (Chechen State TV and Radio Company) explained on November 30. Some residents of Chechnya and Instagram users treat this version as inconclusive.

Instagram users posted several critical comments to the message about Viskhan Matsuev appointment in the page of the "Chechnya Today" News Agency. "He is a child, what will he be guided by?" asked the user _elina1717. "An experienced employee ... What is his work experience?" the user b_habib__ has asked sceptically.

Until recently, Viskhan Matsuev, a husband of Ramzan Kadyrov's daughter, served as head of the department for making foreign passports of the migration department – deputy head of the department for working with citizens, a MIA source has explained to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Some local residents have also found Akhmed Dudaev's explanation not convincing enough. "Ramzan Kadyrov is placing his relatives and friends into power bodies, including those who have no managerial or just life experience, but who are his devotees. I think this trend will only grow in Chechnya. Ramzan has enough relatives to occupy all high positions in the region", Fatima, an activist of one of Chechen NGOs, voiced her version to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

"Chechnya is becoming Ramzan Kadyrov's and his relatives' patrimony. It seems to me that by appointing his relatives to high posts, he pursues a certain goal – to rule the republic exclusively by the Kadyrov clan, even if Ramzan himself is transferred somewhere," Adlan, a local resident, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on December 1, 2019 at 10:21 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.