Conflict in Yugra outlines threats for Kadyrov

The acute conflict involving Chechens in Yugra will damage Kadyrov's positions and give arguments to his opponents, the experts interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot" have noted.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Sergey Makhinya, the Mayor of the city of Lyantor (the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug-Yugra) had asked the head of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, and the State Duma MP, Adam Delimkhanov, to stop the local businessman, Isa Abdulvakhabov, who, according to the Mayor, went on revenge for a lawsuit by officials against him.

According to Mayor Makhinya, the above businessman had performed construction works despite the ban by the Surgut District Court. The Mayor has claims also to other objects with which Abdulvakhabov is somehow connected.

The Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug-Yugra is a region where hydrocarbons are extracted, which makes it interesting for various influential groups and structures, Alexei Malashenko, the head of scientific studies at the "Civilizations' Dialogue" Institute, has noted.

"The above appeal can be interpreted as the Mayor's weakness, but the consequences can be very serious: if there is no Kadyrov's reaction, the conflict of the Chechen businessman with the Mayor of Lyantor may get to the federal level. It is obvious that for Mishustin (Russian Premier), as well as for a number of law enforcers, there is nothing sacred in Kadyrov; and the untimely, inadequate reaction of the Chechen leader will be used to discredit him in Putin's eyes, since the emerging conflict will negatively affect his reputation," Mr Malashenko has explained.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on June 9, 2020 at 01:55 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.