Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov criticised for his involvement in children’s cage-fighting bouts
Kadyrov has been repeatedly accused of human rights violations during his rule of Chechnya, including murders and forced disappearances
The Moscow-backed leader of the Russian region of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, faced criticism on Wednesday after his sons took part in televised mixed martial arts fights involving children as young as eight.
One of Kadyrov’s sons, 10-year-old Akhmad, beat another boy by a technical knockout in the cage during a so-called exhibition bout on a nationally televised fight card on Tuesday, while his younger brothers Eli and Adam also won their fights as a crowd of adults in the hall cheered them on.
What happened at the tournament in Grozny is unacceptable and, moreover, cannot be justified
The children walked into the ring with background music, were announced in the same way as pro fighters and were rewarded with belts when they won, with their father looking on. The TV broadcast from the Chechen capital Grozny was chiefly focused on adult bouts, but featured professional commentary and graphics introducing the child fighters.
Kadyrov was inaugurated on Wednesday to a new term as Chechnya’s leader on his 40th birthday.
Leading Russian MMA pro Fedor Emelianenko called the fights “unacceptable” and dangerous in a statement on his Instagram page, and said the children risked permanent injury and psychological harm.
“What happened at the tournament in Grozny is unacceptable and, moreover, cannot be justified,” said Emelianenko, who heads the Russian MMA Union. “There were little ones, eight years old, punching each other in front of happy adults. Is it really so important for you to organise a spectacle at the cost of children’s health?!”