Analysts explain Kadyrov's threats to Chechen Zakaev

Akhmed Zakaev's anti-Kadyrov rhetoric has became harsher; therefore, it was followed by new threats from Ramzan Kadyrov and video clips offensive to Zakaev, the administrators of the "1Adat" Telegram channel and the blogger, Tumso Abdurakhmanov, have noted. Zakaev lives outside Russia, but the head of Chechnya still perceives him as a rival, Svetlana Gannushkina, a human rights defender, and Musa Taipov, an activist, have stated.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on September 15, on the Instagram, Kadyrov voiced out threats addressed to Akhmed Zakaev, who lives in Great Britain, for the latter's mentioning Akhmat Kadyrov. Ramzan has also blamed Zakaev for failing to fulfil his promise to return to Chechnya. In his turn, Magomed Daudov, the Speaker of the Chechen Parliament, threatened that Zakaev's relatives would be forced to publicly condemn him, if he did not stop criticizing the republic's authorities. On the same day, it became known that Zakaev's relatives were detained; and then another video appeared where Kadyrov offends Zakaev and invites his sons to take revenge for this.

Akhmed Zakaev held an online conference about the self-proclaimed Chechen Republic of Ichkeria. He stated that Akhmat Kadyrov was appointed head of Chechnya in order to pursue the policy of liquidating the Chechen mentality. Zakaev also spoke disparagingly about Ramzan and his policies and accused Akhmat Kadyrov of working for the Russian KGB (Committee for State Security).

Kadyrov's new threats concern Zakaev's statements against Akhmat Kadyrov and Ramzan himself, the administrator of the oppositional "1Adat" Telegram channel believes. In his opinion, Zakaev's words have deeply hurt Kadyrov. "After that, a rumour was released about Zakaev's non-traditional sexual orientation," the administrator has noted.

Svetlana Gannushkina, the chair of the "Civil Assistance" Committee, has also linked the pressure on Zakaev with his criticism of Chechen authorities. Kadyrov, she said, is demonstrating his omnipotence.

Chechen authorities threaten Zakaev through his relatives, because they see him as a real threat, says Musa Taipov, a refugee journalist from Chechnya living in France.