Acting Chechen Leader Denies Personality Cult

Portraits of Kadyrov adorn Chechen cities and villages in what critics have called a Soviet-style personality cult.

Kadyrov rejected those allegation in an exclusive interview with RFE/RL.

"What some people are calling a personality cult is basically a response to the requests of citizens," Kadyrov said. "It is a way for them to express their gratitude for what I have done for them, as a Chechen. Allegations about a personality cult are spread by those who have done nothing in their lives for their families, their people, or their country."

Kadyrov became Chechnya's acting president on February 15 after the resignation on President Alu Alkhanov.

Just days before he resigned, Alkhanov criticized Kadyrov for creating a personality cult.

Kadyrov is reported to be widely feared in Chechnya as the leader of a private militia force that human rights groups say is involved in murder and kidnapping.