Demanding apology from Kadyrov becomes populist move

The appeal of the MPs unknown outside the Krasnodar Territory to the head of Chechnya has to do with an attempt to gain popularity, while hiding behind Alexander Bastrykin's protection. In their turn, political analysts and human rights defenders believe that the apology demand may turn against the MPs, if Kadyrov pays attention to it.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that two MPs from the Krasnodar Territory, Sergey Kusmakov and Sergey Klimov, have called on Ramzan Kadyrov to apologize for his critical statements addressed to Alexander Bastrykin, the head of the Investigating Committee of the Russian Federation (ICRF).

Kadyrov declared the professional incompetence of the heads of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) and the ICRF, namely Vladimir Kolokoltsev and Alexander Bastrykin. "The Murdiev's case shows that the people who sit at the top, such as Bastrykin and Kolokoltsev, are not in their places," the "Chechnya Today" News Agency has quoted Kadyrov as saying. The teenager Roman (also referred to as Muslim) Murdiev, for whom Kadyrov stood up, is accused of beating up minors in Moscow streets, the ICRF has stated.

The ICRF's response to criticism of Bastrykin and posting of brawl videos have become the reason for the above MPs from the Krasnodar Territory to demand that the head of Chechnya apologize to the ICRF Chairman, Svetlana Gannushkina*, the head of the "Civic Assistance" Committee*, is sure.

"The logic is as follows: they are irritated by Kadyrov. They are unhappy that the head of Chechnya is stronger than their Russian nationalist influence; and they can do nothing because the power is on Kadyrov's side. They daren't speak out against Kadyrov, but the situation with Bastrykin and his support are already changing the situation," Ms Gannushkina* has suggested.

A source from the "Memorial" Centre for Human Rights Defence (CHRD)** believes that Kadyrov's pressure on the MPs and demand for apology for their appeal should be expected. In his opinion, the MPs' appeal was dictated by their desire to curry favour with the ICRF head.

*Included by the Russian Ministry of Justice (MoJ) into the register of foreign agents.

**As reported on the website of the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), the reason for including on March 1, 2024, the unregistered "Memorial" Centre for Human Rights Defence (CHRD) into the roster of foreign agents was the spread of "inaccurate information aimed at creating a negative image of the Russian Federation, as well as the Russian Armed Forces."