Kremlin-picked president

last updated 8 January 2015

Grozny, Russia

The candidate backed by the Kremlin won the Chechen presidential election this week and pledged to get tough on the lawless Russian province. Police chief Alu Alkhanov beat six rivals, although international observers said the vote was rigged. Alkhanov replaces the previous Kremlin-backed president, Akhmad Kadyrov, who was assassinated in May. Right before the election, Alkhanov gave a preview of his intention to be ruthless with criminals and rebels when he ordered the police to shoot on sight anyone wearing a balaclava, or mask. He also said he had “very friendly professional relations” with Ramzan Kadyrov, a son of the late president, whose private army has been responsible for brutality against civilians.