GUDERMES (Russia), April 5: Kremlin-backed strongman Ramzan Kadyrov was sworn in as Chechnya’s president on Thursday in a ceremony celebrating his domination of the war-torn southern province.

With his right hand on Chechnya’s constitution, Kadyrov took the oath of office in the commercial town of Gudermes, rather than the battle-scarred capital Grozny. He vowed to respect human rights and “truly serve the people and respect Chechnya’s constitution,” before waving the banner of Chechnya’s armed forces over his head.

Schoolchildren at the ceremony wore T-shirts bearing portraits of a smiling Kadyrov. Security was tight across the province, with police stationed at 100-metre intervals along main roads. Portraits of Kadyrov hung from buildings, together with slogans praising him.

Kadyrov was prime minister before President Vladimir Putin nominated him for Chechnya’s top post when he turned 30, the minimum age for holding the presidency.—AFP