Chechen strongman Ramzan Kadyrov on Monday confirmed rumours that his son Adam had attacked a man who was in detention for burning the Koran.
Kadyrov, who has ruled Chechnya with an iron grip since 2007 and oversaw vast redevelopment and Islamisation in the region, is accused by rights campaigners of ordering kidnappings and extrajudicial killings.
"He beat him and did the right thing," Kadyrov said on Telegram.
"I am proud of Adam's actions... he has developed adult ideals of honour and dignity in defence of his religion," he said.
The Chechen leader posted a video purportedly showing his son, dressed in khaki, beating up another man.
Russia's human rights ombudswoman Tatyana Moskalkova said last month she brought up the issue with her Chechen counterpart.
"I believe that anyone who infringes on any Holy Scripture, including those who burn it and offend tens of millions of citizens of our large country, should be severely punished," Kadyrov said.
He likened blasphemers to "a sick tumour on the body that needs to be cauterised."
Kadyrov has publicised his son's involvement in the Ukraine offensive, after announcing in March 2022 that he sent three of his sons -- Akhmat ,16, Eli ,15, and Adam, 14 -- to the front.