Residents of Chechnya complain about forcing to participate in mass rally

At the rally organized in Grozny in support of the Myanmar Muslims, policemen did not allow people to leave the rally, eyewitnesses assert, telling about the cases when women-participants of the rally needed doctors’ help.

Local residents told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that everyone was allowed to attend the rally, but policemen who were on duty there did not allow him to leave the venue. People also doubted the fact that more than a million people took part in the rally.

"There were a lot of people; they were brought by buses from different districts... Some began leaving well before the start of the rally, as the weather was quite hot. When the flow of those willing to leave began increasing, policemen blocked the street... People had to wait until the end; it was very hard," said Yusup, a participant of the rally.

According to Sultan, another local resident, even women, who complained about poor health condition, were sent back.

Participants of the rally were brought to Grozny virtually from all the districts of the republic. However, the posters they held in their hands were given out at the venue of the rally.

Employees of Chechen state institutions assert that another large-scale action is scheduled in Grozny for September 6; and they will also have to take part in it. The action will be dedicated to the celebration of the Republic Day.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.