The Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in Lower Saxony has opened proceedings against one of its most prominent social media figures — Noah Krieger, whose real name is Murad Dadaev — following a trip to Chechnya where he met regime-linked officials, posed with a Nazi-era dagger, and trained with a Kalashnikov under the instruction of a police officer close to Chechen dictator Ramzan Kadyrov, according to investigations by German outlet Correctiv.
The Alternative for Germany (AfD) is a right-wing to far-right political party known for anti-immigration, Eurosceptic, and nationalist positions. It opposes military aid to Ukraine, favors negotiations with Russia, and has faced accusations of pro-Kremlin ties.
The AfD Lower Saxony branch confirmed to Correctiv that proceedings "against Noah Krieger and/or Murad Dadaev" are underway and expected to be resolved shortly. The party declined to elaborate further, and Krieger was not initially reachable for comment.
From Chechnya to Hannover — and back
Dadaev was born in Chechnya but has lived in Germany for many years, presenting himself as the "first Chechen in German politics." He claims to have received German citizenship through naturalization in 2024, changing his surname to that of an alleged German wife. However, according to Astra, Russian civil registry data indicates Dadaev is in fact married to a Chechen woman from his home village.
Operating out of a rented villa in Hannover, Dadaev cultivated an image as a successful businessman promoting German-Russian unity, and built an Instagram following of over 400,000 — one of the largest among AfD-affiliated accounts.
After Correctiv reported in December 2025 that Dadaev had been hosting regime-aligned Chechen figures at the villa, he left the property, traveled through Germany and Austria, and eventually flew to Chechnya.
Meetings, a regiment linked to killings, and a swastika dagger
In Chechnya, Dadaev met with Achmed Dudaev, deputy head of the Chechen Republic's government, according to his Instagram Stories. He was also photographed in a restaurant with Samid Chalaev, commander of a special police regiment named after Kadyrov's father. Novaya Gazeta has reported that the regiment carries out extrajudicial executions under Chalaev's command.
Dadaev also attended a ceremonial session of the Chechen parliament on the Republic's Constitution Day, at which Kadyrov himself was present.
As a gift to his Chechen hosts, Dadaev apparently brought a Wehrmacht dagger from the Nazi era bearing a swastika — an image he posted to his own Instagram.
His Kalashnikov training was conducted by Husen Alchanow, a police officer described by Correctiv as a confidant of Kadyrov.
"Peace is more important than differences"
On his social media, Dadaev has consistently framed his activities as cultural bridge-building. "Russia and Germany are connected not just by geography, but by an entire era of great culture," he wrote. "History has taught us much. But the main lesson is that peace is more important than differences. True friendship lives not in political offices, but in common projects, family stories, and respect for our shared past. Let us preserve what unites us."
An open question of return
Some of Dadaev's posts before his departure appeared to signal a break with Germany, leaving his intentions unclear. Should he choose to return, German authorities would have limited legal options — he reportedly holds dual Russian and German citizenship. Correctiv notes they "could only watch — but presumably with particular thoroughness."
