Chechen President Kadyrov denies Dubai charges

Dubai: Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov has vehemently denied allegations by Dubai that his close adviser and cousin Adam Delimkhanov masterminded the assassination of his foe Sulim Yamadayev in Dubai last month.

"The statement is not based on any objective facts," Kadyrov said in a statement e-mailed to news agencies.

"Delimkhanov is my close companion-in-arms, my friend, my brother and more than that, he is my right-hand man. So any statements against him, I take as statements against me," Kadyrov said.

Analysts say it is unlikely that Delimkhanov will be extradited to Dubai despite a UAE-Russia extradition agreement. As a member of Russia's lower house of parliament, the State Duma, Delimkhanov enjoys parliamentary immunity.

Any move against Delimkhanov is likely to put Moscow in confrontation with Kadyrov, which the Kremlin is keen to avoid given the president's role in maintaining stability in Chechnya.

Meanwhile, Gulf News has learnt that Russian diplomats in Dubai are frustrated at not being provided with information on the Yamadayev case. A high ranking diplomat was barred entry to a Dubai Police press conference on Sunday.

Dubai Police Chief Lieutenant General Dahi Khalfan Tamim said all diplomats are expected to follow procedures and go through the foreign ministry for such access. Dubai Police have repeatedly complained about lack of cooperation from Russian authorities in the case.

- With inputs from agencies