Kadyrov asks Putin whether he can resign from his position as the head of Chechen Republic

**Chechen Dictator Ramzan Kadyrov Seeks Resignation as Head of Chechen Republic**

In a surprising move, Chechen dictator Ramzan Kadyrov has asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to resign from his post as head of the Chechen Republic. This statement was made on May 6 in an interview with the Russian state-controlled media outlet Chechnya Today.

Kadyrov has ruled Chechnya since 2007 and has become infamous for human rights abuses, including forced disappearances, torture, and extrajudicial killings. The U.S. and other Western allies have imposed sanctions against him and his family due to these atrocities. Despite this reputation, Kadyrov claims that he is not seeking to escape accountability but rather hopes that his request will be supported.

“I’ve heard those rumors (about resignation), too. They say all sorts of things. On the contrary, I am asking to be dismissed from my post,” Kadyrov said. “I hope that my request will be supported.” However, it is worth noting that this decision ultimately lies with Putin.

**Kadyrov’s Health and Succession**

The request comes amid news that Kadyrov is suffering from a rapidly progressing illness, pancreatic necrosis. There have also been reports that he has appointed his minor son Adam as his successor, according to independent Russian media outlet Novaya Gazeta Europe. This is not the first time Kadyrov has made such statements; in 2016, 2017, and 2022, he similarly asked for his resignation, which was not approved.

**What’s Next?**

It remains to be seen whether Putin will grant Kadyrov’s request or maintain him as head of the Chechen Republic. The implications of this decision are significant, given Kadyrov’s reputation and the region’s history of human rights abuses.

As Kateryna Hodunova, a News Editor at the Kyiv Independent, notes, “This is not the first time Kadyrov has asked for his resignation, but it remains unclear whether Putin will comply with this request.” The fate of Chechnya and its people hangs in the balance as this drama unfolds.