Rebel leader Doku Umarov is mostly likely already dead or will be soon, Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov said.
"He's a rat," Kadyrov said, speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, reported Interfax.
"He committed crimes, persuaded our youth to follow him, but now the Chechen people know that he is Satan, an enemy of the people, of Islam and an enemy of all of mankind."
Umarov, the self-proclaimed leader of the Caucasus Emirate, a recognized terrorist group since 2010, in January urged his followers to use "maximum force" to thwart the Winter Olympic Games to be held in Sochi in 2014.
Kadyrov said that Chechnya was "much safer" than Moscow and that his North Caucasian republic was the "most peaceful region."
Umarov, recognized as a terrorist by Russia, the United Nations and the United States, claimed responsibility for deadly attacks on the Moscow Metro in 2010 and on Domodedovo Airport in 2011.
Umarov has been declared dead on several occasions by Russian security services and media, most recently in March 2011.
The United States offered a reward of up to $5 million for Umarov's capture in 2011.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.