State Department Bars Chechen Leader Kadyrov From Entry To US, Citing Human Rights Abuses

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced Monday that Ramzan Kadyrov, the head of the Chechen Republic of the Russian Federation, would be barred from entry into the United States, citing human rights abuses.

“The Department has extensive credible information that Kadyrov is responsible for numerous gross violations of human rights dating back more than a decade, including torture and extrajudicial killings,” read a statement from Pompeo

Kadyrov’s wife, Medni Kadyrova, along with his daughters Aishat Kadyrova and Karina Kadyrova, would also be barred from entry.

“Today’s action serves to notify Mr. Kadyrov that his involvement in gross violations of human rights has consequences, both for him and his family, and that the United States is committed to using all the tools at our disposal to ensure accountability for those who engage in this abhorrent behavior,” Pompeo said.

Kadyrov, 43, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has served as the leader of the Chechen Republic since 2007. Kadyrov has implemented Islamic law in Chechnya, endorsing polygamy and forcing Chechen women to adhere to a Muslim dress code.

According to the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights, Chechen authorities began a violent crackdown on LGBT people in Chechnya between 2017 and 2019, arresting and torturing more than 100 individuals, mostly gay and bisexual men. Chechen authorities have also been accused by Human Rights Watch of orchestrating attacks on journalists and human rights defenders.