The new title recalled the investigation into the circumstances of the detention of the head of the Chechen Ministry of Emergency Situations.

On April 14, 2024, traffic police officers at the Gerzel checkpoint in Dagestan brutally detained Major General Alikhan Tsakayev, who was a classmate of Ramzan Kadyrov.The Chechen leader called the incident a provocation and demanded that Dagestan's leadership fire those who forcibly pulled the general from the car. He emphasized that "Alikhan Garmanovich did not commit a serious violation." The incident with Tsakayev occurred at a federal checkpoint, which is not under the jurisdiction of Dagestani security forces, stated Dagestan Head Sergei Melikov, who assured that Dagestani police officers are acting within the rules. On January 26, Chechen Head Ramzan Kadyrov published a report on his Telegram channel about the presentation of the epaulettes of Lieutenant General of the Internal Service to Alikhan Tsakayev, Head of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia for Chechnya. This rank was awarded to Tsakayev by decree of the Russian president, Kadyrov emphasized. However, as of 6:00 PM Moscow time on January 30, the official website of the Russian president does not contain the text of Vladimir Putin's decree promoting Akayev.

It should be noted that as of 6:00 PM Moscow time on January 30, the websites of the Investigative Committee of Russia and the North Caucasus Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) do not contain information regarding the results of the investigation into the circumstances of the accident and the conflict with security forces in Dagestan. Lawyers previously interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot" believed that Tsakayev should face administrative and criminal penalties, but the MVD investigation did not document the attempted hit-and-run of security forces, which is visible on video. "The absence of any evidence of an attempt to hit police officers in the investigation results makes it easier to charge the offender, since it is no longer possible to charge him with [attempted murder of a law enforcement officer]," one of the "Caucasian Knot" interlocutors said.

At the same time, the Kremlin quickly distanced itself from the incident involving Tsakayev in 2024. "This is not the Kremlin's prerogative. It is the prerogative of the relevant agencies responsible for road safety and other agencies. Therefore, the Kremlin cannot interfere in any way," presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov stated on April 24, 2024. Tsakayev himself appeared in public on April 22, 2024, when he attended a meeting with Ramzan Kadyrov.

A loyal confidant of Kadyrov

Alikhan Tsakayev, a classmate and fellow villager of Ramzan Kadyrov, was a commander of the Chechen OMON special forces. In July 2009, he commanded a special operation to kill six militants in the Chechen village of Goyty. In December 2014, he was wounded in a shootout with members of illegal armed groups who had organized an attack on law enforcement officers in Grozny, Kommersant reported.

In 2019, he became the head of the Argun Department of Internal Affairs, and in February 2020, he became deputy head of the republic's Ministry of Emergency Situations for anti-terrorist activities, and then headed the department, according to the Caucasian Knot report "The Main Thing About Kadyrov's Personnel Policy".

After Tsakayev became the new deputy head of the Chechen Ministry of Emergency Situations, residents of the republic declared a continuation of the course toward strengthening Kadyrov's personal rule.

The head of the Ministry of Emergency Situations himself made public statements against Ramzan Kadyrov's critics. He was one of the officials and security forces who joined in the threats against the Yangulbayev family. "Anywhere in this world, wherever they are, we will hold them accountable for their words. Day and night, we have no more important job than to find you," Tsakayev stated in a video published in February 2022.

Lack of Response to High-Profile Accidents

The incident at the Gerzel checkpoint in Dagestan in 2024 fits into a trend of high-profile road accidents involving Kadyrov's associates that have gone unreported by law enforcement. Thus, on July 20, 2025, according to the Memorial Human Rights Center*, a traffic accident occurred involving Yasin Zakriev, Chairman of the Chechen Accounts Chamber and Kadyrov's nephew. A married couple from the village of Geldagan were killed in the accident, and two children were seriously injured. The very next day, authorities organized a formal reconciliation between the families. No criminal case was opened, and Zakriev continued to hold his post.

In 2018, an accident occurred involving Turpal-Ali Ibragimov, head of the Shali District and Ramzan Kadyrov's cousin. Eyewitnesses claimed that the official's security guards confiscated phones from witnesses to prevent information leaks. A video was posted on social media showing relatives of the victims pleading for Ibragimov not to be punished. No criminal case was announced, and the official retained his position.

For more information on serious accidents involving relatives and close associates of the head of the republic, Ramzan Kadyrov, see the "Caucasian Knot" report "Accidents in Chechnya Involving Kadyrov's Men".