As they do every time their regime comes under – rare – criticism, Chechen officials closed ranks. This time, it's to defend 15-year-old Adam, the son of Ramzan Kadyrov, ruler of this Muslim-majority territory of the Russian Federation. The boy "has demonstrated his patriotism and determination to defend religion," federal deputy Adam Delimkhanov wrote on Telegram on Thursday, August 17.

The facts: according to Nikita Zhuravel, who has been in custody in Chechen prisons since burning a Koran in the spring, Adam Kadyrov was specially sent to his cell to beat him up. The 19-year-old victim recounted the incident in a letter to the Human Rights Ombudsman in Moscow.

Her counterpart for the Republic of Chechnya merely replied that prisoners' rights were respected in the country. After the violent attack on journalist Elena Milachina on July 4, they spoke of "a provocation and an attack on the Chechen people."

Instead of denials, other officials chose to outdo each other. "We not only understand him, we warmly support him," wrote the Chair of the Chechen Parliament, Magomed Daudov, adding "He has acted like a true Muslim, a true patriot and a true Chechen." Adam Delimkhanov added: "Adam Ramzanovich has distinguished himself since childhood by a keen sense of justice and is an excellent example for his peers. From an early age, he memorized the Holy Koran."

This deputy, known for drawing a gold pistol in the Duma and commanding Chechen forces in Ukraine, is also the uncle of young Adam Kadyrov. According to a count dating back to 2018, one third of Chechnya's 158 highest-ranking officials are members of the president's family.

Ramzan Kadyrov himself takes great care of his children. Among his daughters, two are ministers (three months after her appointment to the Ministry of Health, Khutmat, 20, was already decorated for "her immense contribution to the development of medicine"). Adam and two other brothers were briefly sent to Ukraine, where "they behaved as befits Chechen warriors," according to their father.

Where prison violence is concerned, Ramzan Kadyrov, who himself succeeded his father, has been repeatedly accused of torturing imprisoned opponents with his own hands. Investigations carried out by the Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta have also referred to extrajudicial executions carried out in Chechen prisons.

The case of the burnt Koran has been causing a stir in Russia since the spring. Nikita Zhuravel was arrested in May, after the brief broadcast of a video showing him holding a charred Koran in front of a mosque in his home town of Volgograd. The student was charged with "offending the feelings of believers."

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