The former head of the republic of Chechnya’s regional government, Muslim Khuchiyev, has been appointed as one of Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin’s aides, Chechen strongman Ramzan Kadyrov said Friday.
Khuchiyev stepped down on Tuesday as head of the Chechen government after nearly six years in office, making him the second Kadyrov ally to resign from a senior-ranking post in the republic this month.
“Chairman of the Russian Government Mikhail Mishustin has appointed dear BROTHER Muslim Khuchiyev as his aide,” Kadyrov wrote on Telegram.
There was no immediate confirmation of the appointment from the prime minister’s office.
Khuchiyev previously served as mayor of the Chechen capital of Grozny. Kadyrov temporarily transferred power to him in 2019 and 2020 while undergoing medical treatment.
Khuchiyev is under U.S. sanctions over his role in the alleged forced transfer of Ukrainian children to Russia during the ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
Last week, another Kadyrov ally, Magomed Daudov, announced he was stepping down as speaker of Chechnya’s legislative assembly.
