INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Chechen strongman Ramzan Kadyrov on Sunday released new video footage in which he smiled and recommended everyone practise sport, in an
apparent move to quash speculation about his ill health.Speculation has swirled for months that the hugely influential 46-year-old head of
Chechnya accused by rights groups of running a "totalitarian regime" might be ill.On Sunday, two videos appeared on Kadyrov's Telegram
channel.Wearing a raincoat, he was seen in the first video strolling in an unidentified location
He smiled but his face appeared puffy.In the second video he was heard speaking Chechen and then saying in Russian "practice sport.""I
strongly recommend that everyone who cannot distinguish the truth from lies on the internet go for a walk, get some fresh air and put their
thoughts in order," said the words accompanying the videos."The rain can be wonderfully invigorating."It was not possible to immediately
was in a coma.Kadyrov has been one of the most enthusiastic supporters of Moscow's offensive in Ukraine and his battalions have fought
alongside regular Russian forces there.The former rebel warlord turned Kremlin ally has long referred to himself as Vladimir Putin's
"footsoldier."Elected president of Chechnya in 2007, Kadyrov has ruled majority-Muslim Chechnya with widespread evidence of extra-judicial
killings and torture of his opponents.
