Format of Kadyrov's video appeal adds to residents' suspicions of his illness

In his congratulation on Eid al-Fitr, Ramzan Kadyrov did not appear in the video clip, but recorded only his voice, residents of Chechnya have noted. It is possible that he is really sick, they have suggested.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported referring to a medical source that on May 21, Ramzan Kadyrov was under medical supervision because of suspected coronavirus.

In the evening of May 23, a video was posted in social networks filmed in the territory of the residence of the head of Chechnya. The face of the person filming the video does not appear, but the voiceover similar to Kadyrov's voice congratulates believers on the occasion of the Eid al-Fitr (Uraza Bayram).

In their comments to the video, some social network users expressed doubt that the head of the republic had recorded the audio appeal. "This is not his voice; oh, Allah, let nothing happen to Ramzan," the user shihani_9501 wrote in the Chechen language.

Some local residents have also noted that Kadyrov did not appear in the video contrary to the tradition.

"Perhaps Ramzan himself is really speaking, but someone else makes the filming. I don't understand why this trick was needed. What's unusual, if he's really sick? Why should they hide it? If he's healthy, then, do it officially, as usual, and then show it on TV. This video, in my opinion, is another proof that he has some health problems," Idris, a Chechen resident, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on May 24, 2020 at 12:04 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.