Peskov promises to familiarize himself with Chechen leader's strongly-worded remarks
MOSCOW. April 23 (Interfax) - The Kremlin has not yet heard the strongly-worded remarks allegedly made by Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov about law enforcement personnel from other Russian regions and will be able to comment on these statements only after it studies them.
"To my regret, I am not aware of this statement. That is why I have nothing to say about it. I heard about this from you for the first time," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
"I have neither seen, heard nor read it. That is why I cannot say anything," he said.
Peskov promised to familiarize himself with these remarks made by Kadyrov.
According to earlier news reports, Kadyrov, addressing a recent meeting of security officers in Grozny, made strongly-worded remarks about law enforcement personnel from other Russian regions conducting investigations on the territory of Chechnya.
"I officially state that if anyone - whether it be a Muscovite or a resident of Stavropol - appears in our territory unbeknown to us, I order that 'fire for effect' be opened. Everyone must respect us," Kadyrov said.
One of the reporters repeated a question from Ekho Moskvy radio editor-in-chief Alexei Venediktov, who said during Russian President Vladimir Putin's live televised phone-in on April 16 that investigators cannot question several people suspected over the murder of Russian opposition politician Boris Nemtsov who are currently staying in Chechnya. Venediktov asked Putin whether or not he knows of any obstacles being created for the investigators.
"I can only say that the president is certainly being informed of the course of inquiries into all high-profile cases. This is the only thing I can say. Only investigative agencies are authorized to disclose details of these inquiries," Peskov said.