Chechen Leader Kadyrov Says He Is Ready To Resign

Ramzan Kadyrov has led Chechnya since 2007 Photograph: Mikhail Metzel/TASS

Reuters: Russia's Chechnya leader says he is ready to resign, Kremlin to pick successor

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Ramzan Kadyrov, the outspoken leader of Russia’s Chechnya republic, said he was ready to step down, leaving it for the Kremlin to choose his successor.

Kadyrov, a 41-year-old father of 12 whose interests vary from thoroughbred horses to wrestling and boxing, has been accused by human rights bodies of arbitrary arrests and torture of opponents, zero tolerance of sexual minorities and tough political declarations that have embarrassed the Kremlin.

A former Islamist rebel who had led Chechnya since 2007, he was endorsed by President Vladimir Putin in March last year to carry on in the job, while being warned that Russian law must be strictly enforced in the majority-Muslim region.

Asked in a TV interview if he was prepared to resign, Kadyrov replied: “It is possible to say that it is my dream.”

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Update #1: Chechen Leader Says Time Has Come for Him to Step Aside (Bloomberg)
Update #2: Chechnya's Kadyrov Says Time Has Come For Him To Step Aside (RFE)
Update #3: Chechen leader Kadyrov says it’s time to change republic’s head (TASS)

WNU Editor:I have to see it to believe it.