Chechen authorities explained threats to confiscate land plots

On May 21, 2025, Adam Kadyrov was mentioned as Secretary of the Security Council of the Chechen Republic on the official Telegram channel of the Chechen Security Council. He is also listed on the agency's Instagram page*, although no official announcement of his appointment has been made. Human rights activists interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot" noted that the appointments of Ramzan Kadyrov's children to positions are a "family matter," according to a biographical note about Adam Kadyrov published by the "Caucasian Knot." Representatives of the Chechen Ministry of Property and Land Relations explained that the main problem with land use in the Chechen Republic is the misuse of land by its rightholders. Less common are problems related to the unauthorized seizure of real estate and land plots owned by the republic by third parties, as well as violations of the terms of the contract by tenants or other rights holders.

"The Ministry, acting as a lessor under land lease agreements, carries out seizures in cases of violation of the terms of the agreement. The basis for seizure is that the plot is not used for its intended purpose for three years from the date the right to use it arose. For example, if the land plot is idle for the specified period or more, half of the plot is overgrown with weeds about a meter high, trees, bushes, then it can be seized. At the same time, the time of development or circumstances beyond the control of the owner are not taken into account when calculating the three-year period (for example, a natural disaster), "Chechnya Today" cites the explanation of the Ministry.

"The plot is seized if, for example, construction of an apartment building or other commercial facility begins on agricultural land, not "corresponding to the type of permitted use. Measures are also taken against the owner or tenant if their actions reduce the fertility of agricultural land or cause harm to the environment (Article 285 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation)," the ministry reported.

Land in state ownership is divided into federal property, property of constituent entities of Russia, and property of municipalities. "The Ministry is an executive body authorized to manage and dispose of state-owned assets of the Chechen Republic within its jurisdiction, including land plots, with the exception of forest land plots and lands occupied by water bodies," the publication states.

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