GROZNY, Chechnya: Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov announced on Sunday that he has appointed his teenage son, Adam Kadyrov, as a trustee of the Russian University of Special Forces, which is named after President Vladimir Putin.
Adam Kadyrov, who turned 16 in November, previously served as his father’s top bodyguard and an observer in a new battalion within Russia’s defense ministry forces.
In a statement posted on the Telegram messaging app, Kadyrov expressed confidence in his son’s ability to fulfill his duties effectively, citing his familiarity with the activities of the renowned university located in Gudermes, Chechnya. The university provides professional training for special units.
The nomination followed a request by the head of the university, indicating Adam Kadyrov’s close association with the institution.
In September of the previous year, Adam Kadyrov gained notoriety after a social media video surfaced, showing him assaulting a prisoner accused of desecrating the Koran. Despite the controversy surrounding the incident, Kadyrov praised his son’s actions, attributing them to defending their Muslim faith.
However, the beating incident sparked criticism, even from pro-Kremlin hardliners, highlighting the divisive nature of the event.
Ramzan Kadyrov, known for his authoritarian rule in Chechnya, enjoys significant autonomy in governing the region, granted by President Putin in exchange for maintaining stability. He has led Chechnya since 2007 and has deployed Chechen fighters to Ukraine following Russia’s invasion in February 2022.
