Rights defenders: Kadyrov uses return of Maskhadov's widow to improve his reputation

At present, Kusama Maskhadova, the widow of Aslan Maskhadov, who has returned to Chechnya from abroad, lives in her parents' house in the village of Znamenskoe of the Nadterechny District. This was reported by local residents. According to members of NGO, Kusama Maskhadova will stay under the close supervision of the secret services. Ramzan Kadyrov uses the return of the Maskhadov's widow for the improvement of his own reputation. This opinion has been expressed by Tatiana Lokshina, the Russian programme director of the "Human Rights Watch" (HRW). Thus, Ramzan Kadyrov is trying to present himself as the leader of all the Chechens, believes Ekaterina Sokiryanskaya, the head of the Russian Representative Office of the International Crisis Group (ICG).

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on March 8, 2005, Aslan Maskhadov, President of the self-proclaimed Chechen Republic of Ichkeria, was killed in the Chechen village of Tolstoy-Yurt, during the unilateral ceasefire declared by separatists.

A leader of a local NGO suggests that the return of Kusama Maskhadova to Chechnya could be assisted by Magomed Khambiev, one of the direct subordinates of Aslan Maskhadov.

According to Ekaterina Sokiryanskaya, the head of the ICG's Russian Representative Office, the motives of Kusama Maskhadova are clear: she has returned home, since she is sick and wants to spend the rest of her life at home.

"Kadyrov sometimes tries to show his magnanimity and generosity. The return of the Maskhadov's widow can be used for all of these purposes," Ekaterina Sokiryanskaya has added.

Residents of Chechnya interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot" have expressed opposite opinions on the occasion: some of them believe the Kusama Maskhadova's actions are clear, while others treat them as unacceptable.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.