Desecration of monument to Kadyrov in Moscow is message to Chechen leader

The derogatory inscription on the monument to Akhmat Kadyrov in Moscow was caused by hostility towards the head of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, human rights defenders have suggested.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the derogatory inscription was painted by vandals on the monument to Akhmat Kadyrov in Moscow. It was erased by utility workers.

Alexander Verkhovsky, the director of the "Sova" Research Centre*, believes that the desecration of the monument to Akhmat Kadyrov could have been caused by hostility towards the current head of Chechnya.

"Ramzan Kadyrov is very unpopular among the average Russian population, and especially among those with even a slight bias towards Russian nationalism," Mr Verkhovsky has stated, adding that the reason could be in hostility towards Islam, which some associate with Ramzan Kadyrov.

"I disapprove any vandalism against monuments ... As for this action, I believe the meaning is the desire to express dissatisfaction with what is being done in Chechnya today by Ramzan Kadyrov. I agree with such a desire, but not with the chosen form to express it," Svetlana Gannushkina**, the head of the "Civic Assistance" Committee**, has stated.

She does not rule out that the vandals could be punished under a more severe article, by accusing them of collaborating with some foreign special services.

*On August 17, 2023, the First Court of Appeal of General Jurisdiction approved the decision taken earlier in April by the Moscow City Court to liquidate the SOVA Research and Human Rights Centre.

**Included by the Russian Ministry of Justice (MoJ) into the register of foreign agents.