Putin wants Ramzan Kadyrov to continue as Chechnya leaderMarch 26, 2016 - 13:01 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Russian President Vladimir Putin has nominated Chechnya’s controversial leader Ramzan Kadyrov for a new term in office, the Guardian reports. Kadyrov, whose term as leader runs out next month, was appointed acting leader by Putin and is expected to stand in elections in September. He had previously said he planned to step down, but most analysts saw this as a ploy to force the Kremlin to back him publicly, after a year in which he has faced criticism from many quarters, the Guardian says. Kadyrov is a former rebel fighter whose father, Akhmad-Khadzhi Kadyrov, switched sides and ran the republic with Moscow’s blessing until his death in a 2004 bomb attack. Since then, Ramzan has been in charge, turning Grozny into a modern city of skyscrapers and new-build apartment blocks, all with the Kremlin’s money. The Russian president said on Friday he had reappointed Kadyrov because of “everything that has been done in the past years for the Chechen people first and foremost, and by extension for the whole of Russia.” Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. U.S. welcomes efforts to define Armenia-Azerbaijan border The United States welcomes efforts to define the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Vedant Patel. Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. |