Chechen leader’s moves sow chaos in Caucasus

Article says that the Kremlin’s backing for the brutal methods used by Ramzan Kadyrov, President of Chechnya, appear to be stoking insurgency in the country and creating conditions in which activists can be killed with impunity.

Attacks by Islamic insurgents on officials in the north Caucasian regions of Ingushetia, Dagestan and Chechnya are becoming ever more regular. The regions is a a powder keg of Islamic extremism, top-level vested interest, interclan rivalry, traditions of vengeance and ingrained suspicion of the behaviour of human rights activists.

ESO: Background information: Russian rights campaigner found dead http://www.europeansources.info/record/russian-rights-campaigner-found-dead/

ESO: Background information: Ingushetia leader hurt in attempted assassination http://www.europeansources.info/record/ingushetia-leader-hurt-in-attempted-assassination/

ESO: Background information: Tension in remote regions tests Moscow http://www.europeansources.info/record/tension-in-remote-regions-tests-moscow/

BBC News, 16.7.09: Kremlin tribute to dead activist http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8154620.stm

BBC News, 18.7.09: Rights group halts Chechnya work http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8157454.stm

The Economist, No.8640, 18.7.09: Russia's north Caucasus: A mountain of troubles http://www.economist.com/world/europe/displaystory.cfm?story_id=14054840

---