Adam Kadyrov, 15, has been appointed as the new security chief in the Russian republic of Chechnya. The Kadyrov family has ruled Chechnya with an iron fist for the past 20 years, with Ramzan Kadyrov, Adam’s father, taking over as president after the assassination of his father, Akhmad Kadyrov, in 2004. Ramzan Kadyrov has been accused of being involved in murder, persecution of his own citizens, and torture of opponents. The appointment of Adam Kadyrov as security chief indicates that another generation is being prepared to take power. Criticism has been raised regarding Adam’s behavior after a video was posted of him assaulting a prisoner who was accused of burning the Quran. He has also been portrayed as a brave young man who has taken prisoners of war and fought on the front lines in Ukraine. It is believed that the promotion of Adam and his brothers in the state-controlled media serves as a warning to potential rivals to the Kadyrov regime. However, some experts believe that if Ramzan Kadyrov were to die, a power struggle could ensue in Chechnya that the Russian president would find difficult to control.
