Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrovcriticized Russias top investigator and police chief for fueling anti-immigrant sentiment and tensions with neighboring countries during his annual call-in show Wednesday.The outspoken regional leader pilloried Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev and Alexander Bastrykin, chairman of the Investigative Committee which probes crimes, after being asked about an ethnic Chechen teen facing trial in Moscow over a street fight.Kadyrov pledged to secure the teens release and also claimed his detention was part of a broader pattern of treatment of ethnic minorities and migrants from former Soviet republics.Kolokoltsev gave the command and now the newcomers are being beaten, detained and kicked out.
And then they say no one wants to be friends with us.
Why did we lose Ukraine, Georgia? Why are [Russias] relations with other states strained? Kadyrovsaid.Kadyrov, who rules the Muslim-majority North Caucasus republic of Chechnya, previouslyspoke out against Russias tightening migration laws in October.
His criticism followed sweeping police raids and deportations of migrants after the deadly Crocus City Hall concert venue attack in March, which citizens of Tajikistan allegedly carried out.In June, Bastrykin called for tighter laws tolimit migration into Russia.Bastrykin and Kolokoltsev are not in their places, Kadyrov said Wednesday, accusing them of not carrying out the tasks set by the president and sitting in their offices and waiting for instructions.They dont know whats happening in the country because they dont travel to the regions and dont talk to the people, he added.The almighty will punish them.Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Thursday declined to comment on Kadyrovs criticism, saying,If someone considers it necessary to give an assessment, they will give an assessment.