Ramzan Kadyrov
Ramzan Akhmadovich Kadyrov (Russian: Рамза́н Ахма́дович Кады́ров, Chechen: Къадар АхIмат-кIант Ръамазан; born 5 October 1976, Tsentoroi, RSFSR, USSR) is the Head of the Chechen Republic and a former Chechen rebel.
Ramzan is a son of former Chechen President Akhmad Kadyrov, assassinated in May 2004. In February 2007 Kadyrov replaced Alu Alkhanov as President, shortly after he had turned 30, which is the minimum age for the post. He has the support of current Russian President Vladimir Putin and was awarded the Hero of Russia medal, the highest honorary title of Russia. Kadyrov was engaged in violent power struggles; with fellow Chechen government warlords Sulim Yamadayev and Said-Magomed Kakiev for overall military authority, and with Alu Alkhanov for political authority.
As Head of Chechnya, Kadyrov has been credited for bringing peace and stability to the region. He has also launched federally sponsored renovations of the Chechen capital Grozny, which have completely transformed the war-ravaged city. On the other hand, he has come under heavy criticism from international press and Russia, due to alleged corruption and human rights violations.
Ramzan Kadyrov is an honorary member of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences (Российская Академия Естественных Наук, not to be confused with the Russian Academy of Sciences).
Read more about Ramzan Kadyrov: Early Life, Militia Leader, Deputy Prime Minister, Acting Prime Minister, Prime Minister, Head, Personal Life, Chechen Economic Recovery and Reconstruction, 2009 Assassination Attempt, Accusations of Human Rights Abuses, Honours and Awards