Ramzan Kadyrov, the head of the pro-Moscow government of volatile Chechnya province, on Saturday disbanded his security service, Russian agencies reported.Rights bodies have accused Kadyrov's security service of human rights violations.
"Kadyrovtsy", an irregular army of thousands of former rebels who once fought against federal troops for the independence of their tiny North Caucasus republic, have been pivotal in supporting Kadyrov, whose father, Akhmad, was president of Chechnya until he was assassinated in 2004.
Rights activists working in Chechnya say the Kadyrovtsy abused their powers to crush any rivals to Kadyrov.
They have repeatedly accused Kadyrov's personal guard of using kidnapping, murder and torture to cement his rule.
"These structures are no longer existent, and those calling themselves 'Kadyrovtsy' are impostors and must be punished in accordance with the law," Kadyrov was quoted as telling a television programme in Chechnya.
"Two battalions of Interior Ministry troops, codenamed North and South, have been formed from these fighters, they have their own commanders and generals, and from now on have nothing to do with Kadyrov."
Kadyrov is lionised by compliant Chechen media, and his every move features in local television reports.
When his first son was born in November, the region enjoyed a public holiday, marked by all-night salutes of machinegun fire that left civilians cowering in their basements.
Few observers doubt that when Kadyrov in October turns 30, the minimum age to become Chechen president, he will follow his father into the region's top job.