Kadyrov’s statements damage relations between Russia and Uzbekistan

The authorities of Uzbekistan have perceived the statements voiced by Ramzan Kadyrov concerning Uzbekistani officials as interference in the country’s internal affairs, analysts from Uzbekistan note.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that on December 28, Odiljon Tozhiev, a member of the Uzbekistani parliament, condemned the statements voiced by the leader of Chechnya concerning the officials who survived the assassination attempt. Odiljon Tozhiev called on Ramzan Kadyrov to apologize and help find the suspects. One of them, Bislan Rasaev, was accused of political murders and espionage in Turkey, but could be released in an exchange.

The authorities of Uzbekistan, if a criminal case has been instituted and any information concerning the accused is required, may contact the law enforcement bodies of the Russian Federation, lawyer Timofei Shirokov notes.

According to his version, in addition to legal consequences, the incident may also have political ones.

In Central Asia, Chechnya is perceived as a subject of Russia, notes Uzbekistani journalist Umid Bobomatov. “However, it is being treated as a criminal body capable of solving problems in the CIS. Such a reputation was caused by a number of contract assassinations of politicians and businessmen, which involved the people affiliated with Ramzan Kadyrov,” the Uzbekistani journalist emphasized.

In Turkey and other countries, there are criminal groups that include people from Chechnya, and they participated in assassination of politicians, exertion of pressure, and intimidation of businessmen, the journalist notes. “Uzbek criminals have long been using the services of Chechens. For example, among them there are people close to the President of Uzbekistan Mirziyoev,” stated Uzbekistani journalist Umid Bobomatov.

He believes that the statements voiced by Ramzan Kadyrov could seriously affect the Russia’s relations with Uzbekistan and other Central Asian countries.

“This is interference in the internal affairs of Uzbekistan, where preparations are underway for Operation Heir, and it is unclear who will be the next head of the state, where rumours have already been circulating about the top official in the state having cancer,” the journalist noted.

Some top-ranking officials believe that the people affiliated with Ramzan Kadyrov are involved in the attack on the car of the former public officer, Umid Bobomatov continues.

Contacts with the Uzbek side are important to Ramzan Kadyrov because of the establishment of relations with the Saudis and Arabs throughout the Middle East. The Uzbeks have good relations with them. At the same time, the Arabs themselves are wary of the Chechens. Uzbek politicians act as guarantors and mediators in negotiations with the Arabs and Turks, journalist Umid Bobomatov explains.

He believes that the reputation of Vladimir Putin and Ramzan Kadyrov among the Uzbek elite has weakened.

“While earlier, Ramzan Kadyrov was received with honours in Uzbekistan, now it is unlikely that he will be allowed into the country at all. Although there is reason to believe that the Ramzan Kadyrov’s actions were encouraged by the Kremlin,” noted Uzbek sociologist Alisher Ilkhamov, Associate Researcher at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London.