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Chechnya’s Supreme Court chairman tenders resignation after Ramzan Kadyrov’s criticism

Kadyrov demanded Karatayev and three other judges step down from their posts "if they have any notion of dignity and professional ethics"

GROZNY, May 15. /TASS/. Chechnya’s Supreme Court chairman, Magomed Karatayev, on Sunday send in his resignation paper after criticism from Chechnya’s acting Head Ramzan Kadyrov.

"Ramzan Kadyrov gave concrete examples of mistakes made by district judges. These were flagrant violations of law and I undertake entire responsibility for these mistakes and recognize the Chechen leader’s claims to me as their chief as grounded," Karatayev said in an interview with the Grozny local television channel on Sunday.

He admitted he was unable to duly control the judges. "I accept Ramzan Kadyrov’s demand of my resignation and apologize to him and the Chechen people. I have already signed in my resignation," he said.

On May 5, Kadyrov demanded Karatayev and three other judges step down from their posts "if they have any notion of dignity and professional ethics." As a reason Kadyrov cited delays in criminal trials and biased sentences.

On the following day, chairman of the Russian presidential human rights council Mikhail Fedotov recommended Kadyrov to be more cautious in his pronouncements about judges. He said it is important to ensure independence of judges and if judges resign after Kadyrov’s criticism it might be seen as result of pressure and will be a "very dangerous signal.".