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| Chechens cheer leader Kadyrov's fighting young sons | Chechens cheer leader Kadyrov's fighting young sons |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Three young sons of Chechnya's authoritarian leader Ramzan Kadyrov have been filmed pummelling opponents in a brutal martial arts contest, drawing criticism from Russia. | |
| Russia's Sports Ministry says it is investigating the fights. Mr Kadyrov features them on his Instagram page. | Russia's Sports Ministry says it is investigating the fights. Mr Kadyrov features them on his Instagram page. |
| The mixed martial arts contest in Grozny resembled professional boxing, the boys gesturing to an excited crowd. | The mixed martial arts contest in Grozny resembled professional boxing, the boys gesturing to an excited crowd. |
| Mr Kadyrov's boy fighters are Akhmad, aged 10, Eli, nine, and Adam, eight. | Mr Kadyrov's boy fighters are Akhmad, aged 10, Eli, nine, and Adam, eight. |
| "We will find out about this situation, and request information on it," said Russian Deputy Sports Minister Pavel Kolobkov. | "We will find out about this situation, and request information on it," said Russian Deputy Sports Minister Pavel Kolobkov. |
| Mr Kadyrov is a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin. He has ruled Chechnya with an iron fist since his forces, helped by massive Russian firepower, defeated separatist rebels in 1999-2009. | Mr Kadyrov is a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin. He has ruled Chechnya with an iron fist since his forces, helped by massive Russian firepower, defeated separatist rebels in 1999-2009. |
| His much-feared militia, called the "Kadyrovtsy", have been accused of kidnapping, torture and other human rights abuses. | His much-feared militia, called the "Kadyrovtsy", have been accused of kidnapping, torture and other human rights abuses. |
| Mr Kadyrov watched the martial arts bouts sitting next to Alexander Zaldostanov, another political ally of Mr Putin. Nicknamed "The Surgeon," Mr Zaldostanov heads a nationalist biker gang called the Night Wolves, fiercely loyal to the Kremlin. | Mr Kadyrov watched the martial arts bouts sitting next to Alexander Zaldostanov, another political ally of Mr Putin. Nicknamed "The Surgeon," Mr Zaldostanov heads a nationalist biker gang called the Night Wolves, fiercely loyal to the Kremlin. |
| The boy fighters in Grozny did not wear helmets or other protective gear. Their fights included blows to the head. | The boy fighters in Grozny did not wear helmets or other protective gear. Their fights included blows to the head. |
| The head of the Russian Mixed Martial Arts Union, Fyodor Yemelianenko, condemned the competition, saying it was "unacceptable and cannot be justified". | The head of the Russian Mixed Martial Arts Union, Fyodor Yemelianenko, condemned the competition, saying it was "unacceptable and cannot be justified". |
| Mr Kadyrov posted boastful comments along with the Instagram video clips, such as: "Little Adam showed that he's a real Lion!... The opponents had strong fighting spirit and will, but Adam won a confident victory and won the champion's belt. Congratulations, Adam!" | Mr Kadyrov posted boastful comments along with the Instagram video clips, such as: "Little Adam showed that he's a real Lion!... The opponents had strong fighting spirit and will, but Adam won a confident victory and won the champion's belt. Congratulations, Adam!" |
| In Russia's parliamentary and regional elections last month Mr Kadyrov won in Chechnya with 98% support. | In Russia's parliamentary and regional elections last month Mr Kadyrov won in Chechnya with 98% support. |