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Kremlin sees nothing unlawful in Chechen leader's criticism

Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov does not consider wrongful the criticism of acting Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov which prompted the head of the Chechen Supreme Court to resign
Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov AP Photo/Musa Sadulayev
Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov
© AP Photo/Musa Sadulayev

MOSCOW, May 16. /TASS/. The Kremlin does not see as wrongful criticism of acting Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov which prompted the head of the Chechen Supreme Court to resign, the Kremlin spokesman said on Monday.

"Any head of the Russian region has the right to voice his point of view," Dmitry Peskov told reporters. "I don’t take it upon myself to exercise judgement as to code of conduct, but at any rate I have not seen anything unlawful in that," he added in comments on resignation of Magomed Karatayev.

Peskov said Ramzan Kadyrov had not dismissed the head of the republican court, but Magomed Karatayev himself sent in his resignation.

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.".