WASHINGTON: The United States slapped sanctions on Chechen strongman Ramzan Kadyrov on Wednesday, accusing Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s key regional ally of personal involvement in repression, torture and murder. Kadyrov was added to the US Treasury’s blacklist along with Chechen security official Ayub Kataev and three Russians linked to the corruption case uncovered by deceased whistleblower Sergei Magnitsky. The sanctions effectively lock their targets out of much of the international banking system and freeze any assets they may have in US jurisdiction. The US Treasury’s designation of Kadyrov not only lists his alleged involvement in repression and the violent persecution of his and Putin’s opponents, but accuses him personally. “As the head of the Chechen Republic, Kadyrov oversees an administration involved in disappearances and extra-judicial killings,” Treasury said.

Source: Manila Times December 21, 2017 02:26 UTC