US slaps sanctions on strongman ruler of Russia’s Chechnya

MOSCOW (AP) — The United States has slapped sanctions on the regional strongman leader of Russia’s republic of Chechnya over human rights violations. In Monday’s statement announcing the move, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo pointed at “extensive credible information that Kadyrov is responsible for numerous gross violations of human rights dating back more than a decade, including torture and extrajudicial killings.” Pompeo said the restrictions will apply to Ka