Kirsan Ilyumzhinov
Kirsan Ilyumzhinov is a plutocrat who rules the semi-autonomous Russian Republic of
Kalmykia. He derived his prestige as the head of
FIDE, the world chess federation, and he strives to become an "Asian Authoritarian" like his Singaporian, Korean, Chinese role models (even though his country is in Northern
Caucasus). He built grandiose
Catholic churches,
Mosques and temples in his capital Elista, even though their are few people belonging to these religions, and even fewer would ever attend religious services.