Chechen warlord applauds teenage son’s violence as he grooms dynasty for power | Ramzan Kadyrov

Many dictators try to cover up their children’s crimes. For Ramzan Kadyrov, the Chechen warlord, broadcasting his son’s violent behaviour may be a strategy for holding on to power.

In September, Kadyrov reposted a video on the Telegram social network showing Adam, his then 15-year-old son, launching a flurry of kicks and punches to the head of a Russian prisoner who had been transferred to Chechnya after being accused of burning a Qur’an.

Kadyrov, a self-styled defender of the Islamic faith, said he could not have been prouder of his favourite son. “What is there to punish him…