GROZNY, July 21. /TASS/. Head of Russia’s Chechnya Ramzan Kadyrov responded to US Secretary of State’s statement regarding introduction of new sanctions against him by inviting to his home village in the mountain region of the republic to discuss who really violates human rights, according to the Grozny broadcast company.
"As you know, I have been included in yet another sanctions list. Apparently, the Americans have a lot of them. I got so scared that I went to my home village of Benoy. So, Pompeo, come here, it is very beautiful here. Let’s see who violates what rights," Kadyrov said.
On July 20, the Department of State imposed a visa ban on Kadyrov, based on legislation blocking travel to the US by foreign nationals, whom American officials consider guilty of violating human rights. Besides Ramzan himself, the sanctions also apply to his spouse Medni, and his daughters, Aishat and Khadijat.
The Chechnya head condemned the sanctions as a "fruitless attempt" to sow discord among his family. He suggested the State Department officials come to the region and see for themselves how much the locals support him.