Putin's Chechen strongman protege comes of age

The Kadyrov clan have helped the Kremlin subdue a decade-long separatist rebellion. But rights groups say the price the Kremlin has paid for relative peace is handing over control of the region to a man they say is a thug.

Kadyrov on Thursday presided over a ceremony to re-open his region's airport, which has been closed since fighting between separatists and Russian troops started in 1994.

"The Internet is full of stories about how I cannot wait for my birthday so I can take the president's post. I have said many times I am not ready for this job," Interfax news agency quoted Kadyrov as saying.

But Kadyrov, who as prime minister is Chechnya's No. 2 official, has also previously said if Chechens demanded he become president then he would take up the post.

The constitution of mainly Muslim Chechnya bars anyone under 30 from running for the presidency. Chechen President Alu Alkhanov has a much lower-profile than Kadyrov.

"This is the biggest present for me," a smiling and suited Kadyrov said outside the newly opened airport on the northern fringe of Chechen capital Grozny after the first passenger plane from Moscow in 12 years landed.