Murder puts strain on moral compromises which maintain order in Chechnya

In the wake of Natalia Estemirova’s murder in Chechnya, Dmitry Medvedev has rubbished suggestions that Ramzan Kadyrov, the region’s president, sanctioned her killing. Although, ostensibly, it is possible that the Memorial activist was abducted by a group which was not linked to the Chechen authorities, the incident will raise more questions about the methods by which Kadyrov has stabilised the Russian republic.

After the last campaign in Chechnya the Kremlin’s pressing priority was to restore order without expending needlessly the lives of more Russian soldiers. Clearly Kadyrov, with his rapid ascent through government posts and his strong arm tactics, has succeeded in pacifying the republic. There is scarcely any doubt, however, that the thirty two year old is a highly unsavoury character, given to autocratic and violent methods. Knowingly, Vladimir Putin entered into a Faustian pact when he allowed Kadyrov free rein to subdue separatism in Chechnya.

The former rebel, who fought for independence during the first Chechen war, then switched sides in 1999, has integrated his devoted paramilitary following into the republic’s security forces. This ‘kadyrovtsy’ has been accused of all manner of illegality, kidnapping and murder. Progressing through Chechnya’s government seamlessly since his father, a former president, was assassinated in 2004, Kadyrov assumed the role in 2007, having reached the statutory minimum age required by the Chechen constitution.

Whilst Moscow has given the Chechen President considerable latitude in the furtherance of a secure republic, he has proved a headstrong ally. Having introduced aspects of Sharia law during his period as prime minister, Kadyrov quarrelled with the Kremlin about Chechnya’s oil revenues. He has established a cult of personality around his leadership which barely alludes to any type of democratic propriety. And he has made an attempt to attract back to the Republic a coterie of exiled separatist criminals, on the pretext of providing a new start for the ‘Chechen nation’.

In Northern Ireland we are familiar with moral compromises aimed at realising peace and stability. We are even conversant with crime and violence being ignored, supposedly for the greater good. Compared to the crucible of conflict, terrorism and blood letting which characterised Chechnya from the early 90s, Kadyrov’s regime has obvious attractions for the Kremlin. Whether it can continue to ignore accusations of murder and criminality, in the interests of a quiet life, is doubtful.

Comments

Gareth Williams said…
'Whether [the Kremlin] can continue to ignore accusations of murder and criminality, in the interests of a quiet life, is doubtful.'

It's managed to do so at home for quite a while. And compared to what it's got up to over the last decade or so in Chechnya this is relatively small stuff. It won't be embarrassment or shame that provokes the Kremlin to oppose Kadyrov.
Owen Polley said…
I suppose what I'm driving at Gaw is that Kadyrov is increasingly making himself a nuisance. There's only so much latitude that the Kremlin can give a renegade leader within its borders. He is on a collision course with Moscow and eventually there will be a clash of interests. In my opinion.
Gareth Williams said…
I agree there may well be a falling-out but I suspect oil and gas (or something else impinging on Moscow's wealth or power) will be the flashpoint. I'm not sure a few murders will be a deal-breaker!
Dinamo said…
I think we all hark back to USSR days, summer in the meadow sipping vodka on the river fishing sturgeon with stability across the Caucasuas. And to be fair Kadyrov has quelled disorder since the Beslan atrocities and the moscow cinema terrorism.Though my friends in Rostov seek a summer offensive,
I, as a moderate, consider a toleration policy is appropriate in Chehnyna but intervention is necessary in Georgia and Armenia.
Dinamo said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
Dinamo said…
I think we all hark back to USSR days, summer in the meadow sipping vodka on the river fishing sturgeon with stability across the Caucasuas. And to be fair Kadyrov has quelled disorder since the Beslan atrocities and the moscow cinema terrorism.Though my friends in Rostov seek a summer offensive,
I, as a moderate, consider a toleration policy is appropriate in Chehnyna but intervention is necessary in Georgia and Armenia.
Gaw said…
I can't help feeling that we should continue aiming our nukes at Russia.

They can't be trusted.
Gareth Williams said…
This last Gaw is an imposter. Or at least he's not me. How peculiar.

Mind you, I wouldn't be inclined to give the nukes up.
Owen Polley said…
Hmmm. I will leave that comment up, but keep an eye out.

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