Kadyrov called Chechens living abroad traitors.
Those who fled to Europe and defame their people are pseudo-patriots, said Ramzan Kadyrov, expressing confidence that there is no way back for them to Chechnya.
As reported by "Caucasian Knot", security forces in Chechnya killed one person suspected of involvement in diversions in the Gudermes district, and another person was detained, Ramzan Kadyrov stated after a meeting with security officials. Telegram channels reported that Turpal-Ali Mezhidov was killed. If a person takes up arms and goes to kill a security officer, their entire family should bear responsibility up to blood revenge, and such families have no place in the republic, said the head of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov.
The head of Chechnya Ramzan Kadyrov, published a video on the evening of October 23 in his Telegram channel showing grenade assembly, walks around Grozny, and even singing a song, criticizing Chechens living abroad who disagree with the actions of the republic's authorities.
“Only contempt is evoked by those miserable traitors who fled to Europe at one time. Sitting on foreign handouts and feeding from foreign hands, they try to defame their people from abroad, spreading dirty gossip and undermining the peace and order for which thousands of the best, most worthy sons of the Chechen people gave their lives,” he stated, calling them “pseudo-patriots” who have "no way back."
In his opinion, those who left have “torn themselves from their roots and are absolutely unnecessary here,” as there is “no place for those who betrayed the memory of our heroes” on Chechen land.
To whom exactly this statement is addressed is not specified in the published text.
Previously, former critics of Kadyrov were accepted in Chechnya
At least three cases of former critics of the authorities returning to Chechnya are known.
Thus, in March 2023, blogger Said-Hussein Magomedov, living in Austria and known for his sharp criticism of Ramzan Kadyrov, became one of the delegates at a congress of the Chechen people organized by the authorities, which took place in Grozny. On social media, Magomedov posted joint photos with Chechen officials, as well as with former ally of Akhmed Zakayev Rubati Micaeva, who had previously sided with Kadyrov. Magomedov also redirected his criticism from Ramzan Kadyrov to Akhmed Zakayev. The transition of blogger Said-Hussein Magomedov from opponents of the Chechen authorities to the camp of Kadyrov's supporters does not matter for the head of Chechnya, as the blogger's authority is small, analysts surveyed by "Caucasian Knot" noted. In March 2025, Magomedov appeared in gear in a video about sending fighters to the SVO zone.
Recall that Rubati Micaeva, who sided with Akhmed Zakayev, lived in Germany but in October 2021 asked Kadyrov to allow her to return to her homeland. Kadyrov assured her via video call that both Micaeva and "others who left can return to Chechnya at any time." Micaeva returned to Chechnya on December 14, 2021, where she was met at Grozny airport by high-ranking representatives of the authorities, including then-Minister for National Policy Akhmed Dudayev, now the head of the Chechen parliament.
Micaeva's political influence is small, but the regional authorities had the opportunity to present her return to Chechnya as their achievement, analysts surveyed by "Caucasian Knot" noted at that time. Details of Micaeva's return story are collected in the reference of the "Caucasian Knot"..
On May 14, 2023, a video appeal from Kadyrov critic Hussein Dzhambetov was published, in which he stated that he returned to Chechnya and made threats against those who misrepresent the situation in the republic. Hussein Dzhambetov returned to Chechnya, realizing his misconceptions, Ramzan Kadyrov stated after meeting with him.
In October 2022, a criminal case was initiated against 40-year-old Chechen resident Hussein Dzhambetov under the article on participation in the creation of a terrorist community. According to security officials, he participated in the creation of a unit that is part of the foreign legion of the Ukrainian army. Dzhambetov's transition to the side of Ramzan Kadyrov sparked widespread discussion, but did not affect the activities of the Ichkerians, supporters of the self-proclaimed Ichkeria (an organization recognized as terrorist and banned in Russia) stated.
Said-Hussein Magomedov used Dzhambetov's return to remind people of himself - he threatened Dzhambetov with punishment if Dzhambetov came to Chechnya to gather information about Kadyrov on behalf of third parties. Commentators online reacted to Magomedov's threats with irony.