Analysts doubt importance of blogger Magomadov’s move to Kadyrov’s side

The move of blogger Said-Khusein Magomadov from opponents of the Chechen authorities to the camp of Ramzan Kadyrov’s supporters does not matter for the leader of Chechnya, since the blogger’s authority is not high, analysts point out.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that on March 23, blogger Said-Khusein Magomadov, who lives in Austria and is well-known for his sharp criticism of Ramzan Kadyrov, became one of the delegates to the Chechen people’s congress in Grozny organized by the republic’s authorities. Said-Khusein Magomadov also redirected his criticism from Ramzan Kadyrov to Akhmed Zakaev.

The influence of Said-Khusein Magomadov, like that of Rubati Mitsaeva, is not significant, suggests Ruslan Kutaev, the president of the Assembly of Caucasian Nations. “If Said-Khusein Magomadov is a blogger, then he is trying to arrange his life through hype, to earn money ... He considered it possible to make money on his criticism of Ramzan Kadyrov, but there were many who wanted the same, and it did not work out. So, he went over to where there is a chance to earn more,” Ruslan Kutaev said. The president of the Assembly of Caucasian Nations believes that Said-Khusein Magomadov is hardly of any interest for Ramzan Kadyrov himself.

Human rights defender Oyub Titiev believes that blogger Said-Khusein Magomadov “most likely has no influence on anyone,” and the personal interests could attract Said-Khusein Magomadov to the Ramzan Kadyrov’s side.

Abubakar Yangulbaev, another Chechen human rights defender, suggests that Said-Khusein Magomadov was never a real opponent of Ramzan Kadyrov.