Close Putin ally is struck down ‘by coronavirus’: Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov is flown to hospital ‘with 50% damage to his lungs’
- Ramzan Kadyrov, 43, has been flown to Moscow with suspected coronavirus
- The feared Chechen strongman is known to be like a son to Vladimir Putin, 67
- Only days ago doctors in his oil-rich republic complained about PPE shortage
- Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
One of Vladimir Putin‘s closest allies has been urgently flown to Moscow with suspected coronavirus, say reports.
The feared Chechen strongman Ramzan Kadyrov has 50 per cent damage to his lungs, according to one account.
Kadyrov, 43, has been called the son Putin never had – but is portrayed by critics as a deeply divisive figure.
Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov (centre) visits a hospital for suspected coronavirus patients in Grozny on April 20
Officially he has a respiratory infection but reports in Russia say he is suspected of suffering from coronavirus.
Kadyrov, 43, (right) has been called the son Vladimir Putin (left) never had
The father of twelve was rushed to Moscow from his regional capital Grozny and is now believed to be in an elite Kremlin clinic.
More than 50 per cent of his lungs are damaged, according to Readovka Telegram channel.
Only days ago doctors in his oil-rich republic who complained about PPE shortage were forced to go on TV to retract their statements as a ‘mistake’ and apologise.
He threatened to fire the critical medics in his mainly Muslim fiefdom.
Earlier he claimed people who flout coronavirus quarantine should be punished with death, calling them ‘a million times worse than terrorists’.
Kadyrov wears protective gear as he visits the Republican Clinical Hospital in Chechnya, designated to treat covid-19 patients, in late April
Kadyrov (centre left) together with the Minister of Health of the Chechen Republic Elkhan Suleymanov, visited the Republican Clinical Hospital
Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov (second right) visits a hospital for suspected coronavirus patients in Grozny on April 20 without wearing protective equipment
Kadyrov criticised people returning to his region from Mecca in March.
‘If you ask my opinion, anyone who creates this problem for himself should be killed,’ he said.
Kadryov has claimed that he and his health minister Elkhan Suleimanov had already contracted Covid-19 in February.
Suleimanov has new disappeared from view, say reports.
Kadyrov is portrayed by critics as a deeply divisive figure and has a close relationship with Putin
The father of twelve was rushed to Moscow from his regional capital Grozny and is now believed to be in an elite Kremlin clinic
Kadyrov is suspected in the West of ordering a string of extra-judicial killings outside Russia, accusations he strongly denies.
He is also accused of human rights abuses against his political opponents and gay activists.
Supporters say he has brought order to his region in southern Russia.
There was no immediate comment from his administration on the reports he had been flown to Moscow.