Germany Expels Chechen-Born Member from AfD Following Nazi Symbolism Gift Scandal

The far-right German political party 'Alternative for Germany' (AfD) has confirmed the expulsion of its member Murad Dadayev, a figure of Chechen descent who is also known by the name Noah Krieger. This decision was announced by representatives of the AfD in Lower Saxony, who communicated the news to the Russian publication iStories and the German outlet Correctiv, although they did not disclose the specific reasons behind the expulsion.

Murad Dadayev has previously visited the Chechen parliament and was spotted dining with Zamiid Chalaev, the commander of a special police unit named after Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov. This unit has been linked by human rights organizations to extrajudicial killings in the Caucasus region.

Dadayev has described himself as 'the first Chechen in German politics' and has taken a hardline stance against migration. He presented a gift to the Deputy Prime Minister of Chechnya in the form of a Luftwaffe dagger, which bore a swastika—a symbol prohibited in Germany except for specific historical or educational purposes.

The expelled member claimed to have obtained German citizenship through naturalization in 2024 and stated that he changed his surname, which he claimed belonged to his German wife. However, Russian civil registry records indicate that he is married to a woman from his native village in Chechnya, while he has publicly stated that he has multiple wives.

This incident has sparked outrage in Germany, where there have been previous incidents related to internal power struggles in Chechnya, including the high-profile assassination of a former Chechen war commander in Berlin, which is widely believed to have been sanctioned by Moscow. The assassin was later released as part of a prisoner exchange mediated by Turkey.

Dadayev's expulsion from the AfD comes against the backdrop of ongoing scrutiny regarding the party's stance on Russia's war against Ukraine. The AfD, which has gained popularity among segments of the German population, has raised concerns due to its connections with pro-Russian elements and the support it receives from parts of the electorate that express sympathies for the Kremlin.

This situation underscores the complexities of the political landscape in Germany, where far-right parties are attempting to carve out their niche amid rising tensions between the West and Russia. At the same time, the AfD faces criticism for its views on migration and foreign policy, which could impact its future development and support among voters.