Facebook and Instagram suspend Chechnya leader Ramzan Kadyrov’s accounts
The anti-gay leader of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, has had his social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram suspended.
The leader was banned overnight on December 22.
He wrote on a second Instagram page in English blaming the US for the decision to block him.
“They wanted to annoy me, but failed. Which is the only thing that pleases me in the Instagram activity, as well as that of their handlers in the White House.
“I’ve been long thinking to leave that social network, but didn’t want to upset my friends and followers – almost four millions (sic) of them.”
The leader, who is said to be ready to leave his position of power soon, added that he reached out to Instagram for an explanation on the ban.
“Indeed, the Instagram move looks strange.
“The network has long been pretending to be independent from Washington D.C. and their move came right after the US Treasury sanctions.
“They might block the accounts, but they will never be able to block Ramzan Kadyrov name – nor the social media, neither their handlers,” he said.
The US imposed fresh sanctions on the leader, who orchestrated an anti-gay purge, earlier this week.
It came after original sanctions were imposed under the Magnitsky Act, which has been used to punish Russian individuals and officials responsible for human rights abuses, after first reports of the murders of LGBTQ+ people in the area were revealed.
Kadyrov’s inclusion means any assets held in U.S. banks frozen and, and he is barred from entry into the United States.
Kadyrov directly called for gays to be purged earlier this year when he was challenged about the homophobic purge in an interview with HBO.
The 40-year-old tyrant said: “Why did he come here? What’s the point of these questions? This is nonsense. We don’t have those kinds of people here.
“We don’t have any gays. If there are any, take them to Canada.
“Praise be to God. Take them far from us so we don’t have them at home. To purify our blood, if there are any here, take them.
“They are devils. They are for sale. They are not people…. they will have to answer to the Almighty for this.”
