The question, “Who is Noah Krieger?” has become central to understanding one of the most unexpected new figures in German politics. Presenting himself as a patriotic fighter inside the AfD far-right party, Krieger projects an image of national devotion, discipline, and masculine authority.
Yet behind this well-curated façade lies a hidden personal history, a Chechen identity marked by war and exile, and a series of connections that raise concerns among dissidents, politicians, and security experts, the Correctiv investigation has found out.
A Persona Built on Pathos and Patriotism
Krieger’s public life revolves around spectacle. He appears in tailored suits inside a luxurious Hanover villa, posing with swords, German flags, and well-known AfD politicians.
His social media posts echo far-right slogans, references to military honor, and images of himself firing assault rifles. With hundreds of thousands of followers, he has quickly become one of the AfD’s most visible online personalities, despite not holding any official position in the party.
His proximity to high-ranking AfD figures—photographed with Stephan Brandner, greeting Jörn König, hosting members of the Hanover district association—gives the impression of a rising star. Yet this ascent has been unconventional, rapid, and largely unexplained.
Behind the Curtain: A Chechen Network Close to Kadyrov
To understand who Noah Krieger is, one must look at what his public persona conceals. Born Murad Dadaev in Grozny, Krieger lived through the trauma of the Chechen wars. His later journey through Europe, his familial ties, and his connections to the Chechen diaspora form the less visible side of his story.
A key revelation comes from a video filmed inside his villa, where Krieger attaches a German flag pin to Said-Magomed Ibragimov, a former security entrepreneur and actor. This moment underscores his proximity to individuals historically linked to networks loyal to Ramzan Kadyrov, the Chechen ruler whose circle has been associated with violence, surveillance, and intimidation across Europe.
Similar threads lead to Sajhan Agaev, regarded by observers as Kadyrov’s informal representative in Germany. Public interactions between Agaev and Krieger—combined with comments from human rights organizations—suggest that Krieger may be positioning himself as a unifying figure for Chechens in Germany, mirroring the “diaspora consolidation” strategy often attributed to the Kadyrov regime.
Violence and Exile
One cannot separate Krieger’s early life from the history of Chechen repression. His home village, Samashki, was the site of mass killings by Russian forces in 1995. Many Chechens fled, and some, like Krieger’s family, later became entangled in violence that followed them across Europe.
One dramatic episode connects his family to the 2009 assassination of Umar Israilov, a former bodyguard of Kadyrov who accused the Chechen leader of torture. Krieger—still known as Murad Dadaev—was summoned as a witness in the Vienna trial but refused to testify.
His brother Muslim Dadaev was convicted for aiding the killers and accused of scouting the victim and operating a cultural association that secretly collected information on Chechens abroad.
Krieger soon left Austria and rebuilt his identity in Germany. He trained in martial arts, founded a scaffolding company, reinvented himself as “Noah Krieger,” and set his business headquarters in a villa that later became the set for his patriotic social-media stage.
The Two Worlds
The villa symbolizes the merging of two parallel identities: the image of a devoted German nationalist within the AfD and the shadow world of Chechen networks that maintain loyalty to an authoritarian leader abroad. This duality is alarming to many observers.
Experts on Chechen diaspora politics describe a pattern: individuals with influence are encouraged to gather compatriots, discourage dissent, and project unity under the symbolic authority of the Kadyrov clan.
Human rights workers suggest Krieger’s sudden political activism follows this model, raising the question of whether his activities serve both a German political purpose and a transnational one.
Influence or Infiltration?
German officials have begun to voice concern. Members of parliament point to the risk that foreign influence could exploit the AfD’s structures, especially as the party has become a major force in opposition.
While Krieger speaks publicly of neutrality, he simultaneously praises the achievements of Putin and Kadyrov, and his online community includes figures connected directly to Chechnya’s ruling elite.
The rise of Noah Krieger is not accidental. It is the product of carefully orchestrated symbolism, personal reinvention, and networks that extend far beyond the walls of his Hanover estate.