Chechen leader's Instagram back on, then gets blocked again

MOSCOW (AP) — Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov has regained access to his popular Instagram account — only to lose it a day later.

Kadyrov on Wednesday posted a selfie with a handgun and a long-winded text about his love for firearms after his Instagram account which has over 3 million followers went live after nearly a year ban.

Kadyrov, who has been using social media to project his image of a strongman, lost access to it last year after the United States imposed travel and financial restrictions on him. Locals were using his Instagram account as a beeline to ask him questions and voice their grievances.

Kadyrov said in a statement early Thursday that his Instagram account had been blocked again.