Use of blood feud by Chechen authorities creates risks for Kadyrov

After the expiration of the ultimatum, Ramzan Kadyrov may take the toughest measures against the residents of Ingushetia, who, in his opinion, have come forward with territorial claims against Chechnya. The Chechen authorities are taking the notion of blood feud loose, which could backfire against Ramzan Kadyrov and his family members, human rights defenders note.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that on January 12, Ramzan Kadyrov threatened that if the allegations stating that the Chechen authorities had illegally taken the territories of Ingushetia did not stop, then the “remaining villages” would also go to Chechnya. Mass gatherings were held in the mosques of Chechnya, at which officials and religious figures condemned “provocateurs” from Ingushetia.

The residents of Ingushetia may expect “the most extreme measures” from Ramzan Kadyrov, believes Svetlana Gannushkina, the chair of the “Civic Assistance” Committee*. The human rights defender notes that the leader of Chechnya has not complied with Russian laws for a long time. However, the instrument of blood feud used by Ramzan Kadyrov’ associates against their critics will turn against Ramzan Kadyrov himself and his family members.

The human rights defender considered unacceptable Ramzan Kadyrov’s collective appeal to the people of Ingushetia.

A call to the Sharia court is the most likely development of events after the expiration of the ultimatum, notes Ruslan Kutaev, the president of the Assembly of Caucasian Nations. According to the human rights defender, the instrument of blood feuds has become too much featured in all stories.

* The organization has been put by the Russian Ministry of Justice on the register of NCOs performing the functions of a foreign agent.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on January 14, 2022 at 03:56 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.