Alternative for Germany Excludes Member Who Visited Chechnya Amid Gift Scandal

The far-right pro-Russian party Alternative for Germany (AfD) has declared its intention to expel its member Noah Krieger, who is also known by the name Murat Dadaev, after his recent trip to Chechnya. This decision follows an investigation conducted by the German journalism project Correctiv, which has generated significant public outcry.

According to information provided by the AfD party in Lower Saxony, a procedure for Krieger-Dadaev's expulsion is currently underway. However, party representatives have declined to provide further comments on the situation, and attempts to contact Krieger for his remarks have been unsuccessful.

Krieger-Dadaev, who hails from Chechnya but has lived in Germany for many years, is an active participant in the political life of Hanover as a member of the AfD, although he has never held any official positions. As noted by Correctiv, he has crafted an image of a successful businessman advocating for "German-Russian unity," raising questions about his political views and intentions.

Prior to his visit to Chechnya, Krieger made posts on Instagram indicating his desire to sever ties with Germany. It remains unclear whether he intends to return to Germany following his trip.

In March of this year, Krieger-Dadaev visited Chechnya, where he presented Chechen officials with a "trophy" dagger from the Luftwaffe during the Nazi Third Reich, which bore a swastika. This gesture sparked outrage not only in Germany but also beyond its borders, as it became a symbol of support for the authoritarian regime of Ramzan Kadyrov.

During his visit, Krieger-Dadaev met with Chechen Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Information Ahmed Dudayev. He also attended ceremonial gatherings in the Chechen parliament dedicated to the Republic's Constitution Day, where the Chechen dictator Ramzan Kadyrov was present.

Additionally, during his visit, he dined at a restaurant with Zamid Chalayev, the commander of the Kadyrov special police regiment, known for his connections to extrajudicial executions in Chechnya. Accompanying them was Kadyrov police officer Khusen Alkhanov, who provided Krieger with instructions on handling a Kalashnikov rifle.

Krieger-Dadaev moved to Europe as a teenager, following his older brother Suleiman, who was a former fighter under field commander Dokku Umarov. Suleiman switched allegiance to Ramzan Kadyrov and was involved in the contract killing of former Kadyrov bodyguard Umar Israilov, who had fled to Austria, in 2009.

This situation involving Krieger-Dadaev underscores the complexity of the political landscape in Germany, where far-right parties like the AfD are attempting to carve out their identity while facing criticism for their ties to authoritarian regimes and historical symbols that evoke negative associations.