Sobchak complained to police about provocateurs in Grozny

Today, Ksenia Sobchak, TV presenter and a presidential candidate, has held a solo picket in Grozny demanding to release Oyub Titiev, a local rights defender.

After her picket, Ksenia Sobchak decided to take a walk in the central Grozny, along Putin Avenue, together with Elena Milashina, an observer of the "Novaya Gazeta" newspaper, and other journalists. Ksenia was accompanied by two bodyguards.

In Putin Avenue, Ms Sobchak was met by young people who started shouting insults to the TV presenter. At least eight young people followed her demanding from her to leave the city.

Then, Ksenia addressed for help to one of the policemen. "Why don't you take measures? People follow and insult me," complained Sobchak.

The policeman stepped aside; then, a man turned to Ksenia Sobchak, whom the TV presenter regarded as a provocateur; he asked Sobchak why she was insulting the Chechen leadership.

"But how specifically had I insulted the Chechen people, or your leader? I just said that there is a problem in Chechnya with the persecution of rights defender," Ms Sobchak said. After a short dialogue, Sobchak left the avenue.

"I believe that this was a specially organized provocation to show people's discontent [with Sobchak's visit to Grozny]," said Ksenia.

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