- Target:
- Australian Parliament; Australian Racing Board
- Region:
- Australia
Ramzan Kadyrov, President of Chechnya, is widely and routinely described as a Chechen warlord. He was been implicated in murder, torture, extortion and corruption.
He owns Mourilyan, which came third in the Melbourne Cup 2009, winning him $420,000.
Kadyrov is believed to have amassed a huge fortune from extorting kickbacks from the illegal sale of Chechen oil. His ability to finance extensive involvement in horse racing is consistent with this.
Greens Senator Bob Brown said (Radio National, AM, Nov 4, 2009), that "...this is $420,000 from Australia going to a dictator with blood on his hands. It just shouldn't be happening."
Gabby, a blogger on 'Unleashed' has called for Kadyrov's assets to be frozen, pending an investigation to determine whether they are the proceeds of crime.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Kim Trail's investigations into Kadyrov's family: http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/stories/s2733036.htm
Article on Bob Brown's response: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/11/04/2732707.htm?section=justin
Background on Kadyrov
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramzan_Kadyrov#Accusations_of_kidnapping_and_assassination
We, the undersigned, call on the Australian Government to:
a) Freeze Chechen warlord Ramzan Kadyrov $420,000 prize money from the Melbourne Cup pending an assessment to determine whether they are the proceeds of crime.
b) If they are determined to be proceeds of crime the assets should be forfeited and provided as aid to his victims.
AND:
We, the undersigned, call on the Australian Racing Board to introduce new suitability criteria for race horse owners, as the British Horseracing Authority has stated it will do, to ensure that warlords such as Ramzan Kadyrov are excluded from racing on Australian soil.
You can further help this campaign by sponsoring it
The Freeze Chechen Warlord's Melbourne Cup prize money petition to Australian Parliament; Australian Racing Board was written by David James and is in the category Human Rights at GoPetition.