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MOSCOW: Chechen strongman Ramzan Kadyrov on Friday denied accusations of cruelty after his sons aged 8 to 10 competed in mixed martial arts bouts, claiming he is raising “defenders of Russia.”
He responded after the head of Russia’s mixed martial arts union, Fedor Emelianenko, condemned him for allowing his sons to fight in a televised contest while underage and without protective gear.
The scandal has marred the start of Kadyrov’s third term this week after the former separatist-turned Kremlin loyalist won almost 98 percent in September polls.
Kadyrov parried in a statement on his Instagram: “Fedor, you’re wrong! That’s not how Russian heroes behave!“ He insisted his children took part in an “exhibition match,” saying he did not understand why this “is perceived as horrific.”
Chechens “from childhood raise patriots and defenders of Russia,” said the muscle-bound 40-year-old leader who regularly posts pictures of his gym sessions.
Kadyrov — who at one stage battled the Russian Army as a rebel fighter — is accused of running Chechnya as his personal fiefdom with little oversight from Moscow.
He has brutally suppressed dissent in Chechnya as leader since 2007 and is accused by rights activists of kidnapping and torturing opponents with the help of a private army.
Russia’s Sports Ministry and rights activists have said they will investigate after Kadyrov’s sons Akhmad, Eli and Adam took part in the contest in Grozny on Tuesday, watched by cheering crowds.
The two brothers and other small boys were shown barechested and without helmets kicking and hitting each other on the head.
Kadyrov boasted on Instagram that his eldest son Akhmad, 10, knocked out his opponent in 14 seconds.
Emelianenko said the spectacle was “unacceptable and cannot be justified,” with rules requiring that children wear helmets and protective tops and only compete from the age of 12.
He added he was “really outraged” that this happened as Kadyrov watched in the audience.
Emelianenko, a former world champion, is a member of President Vladimir Putin’s council on developing physical culture and sport.