Inside Chechnya

The skyscrapers of the Grozny city complex are seen in the Chechen capital Grozny April 27, 2013.

The naming of two Chechens, Dzhokhar and Tamerlan Tsarnaev, as suspects in the Boston Marathon bombings has put Chechnya back on the world’s front pages, Chechnya appears almost miraculously reborn.The streets have been rebuilt. Walls riddled with bullet holes are long gone. New high rise buildings soar into the sky. Spotless playgrounds are packed with children. A giant marble mosque glimmers in the night. Yet, scratch the surface and the miracle is less impressive than it seems. Behind closed doors, people speak of a warped and oppressive place, run by a Kremlin-imposed leader through fear.

Cars drive along Akhmad Kadyrov Avenue, with the Heart of Chechnya mosque and skyscrapers in the background in the Chechen capital Grozny April 27, 2013. The naming of two Chechens, Dzhokhar and Tamerlan Tsarnaev, as suspects in the Boston Marathon bombings has put Chechnya – the former site of a bloody separatist insurgency – back on the world’s front pages. Chechnya appears almost miraculously reborn. The streets have been rebuilt. Walls riddled with bullet holes are long gone. New high rise buildings soar into the sky. Spotless playgrounds are packed with children. A giant marble mosque glimmers in the night.Yet, scratch the surface and the miracle is less impressive than it seems. Behind closed doors, people speak of a warped and oppressive place, run by a Kremlin-imposed leader through fear. Picture taken April 27, 2013.

Florists arrange flowers in the Chechen capital Grozny April 22, 2013.

Members of a youth club supporting former Chechen leader Akhmad Kadyrov (printed on flag) march along a street during a rally in the centre of the Chechen capital Grozny April 25, 2013.

Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov (C) watches as men load up a cannon during a government-organised event marking Chechen language day in the centre of the Chechen capital Grozny April 25, 2013.

The Heart of Chechnya mosque is seen in the Chechen capital Grozny April 27, 2013.

Boys play soccer on the outskirts of the Chechen capital Grozny April 27, 2013.

Muslim men arrive for Friday prayers at the central mosque in the Chechen capital Grozny April 26, 2013.

An aerial view shows the centre of the Chechen capital Grozny April 29, 2013.

Members of a Chechen dance group pose for photographers at a government-organised event marking Chechen language day in the centre of the Chechen capital Grozny April 25, 2013.

Muslim men wait for Friday prayers in the Heart of Chechnya Mosque in the Chechen capital Grozny April 26, 2013

Girls play on swings in a playground in the Chechen capital Grozny April 29, 2013.

Terek Grozny fans support their team during a soccer match against Amkar Perm at the Akhmad Arena stadium in the Chechen capital Grozny April 27, 2013.