Chechnya: residents criticize Kadyrov's threats to Ingush activists

Ramzan Kadyrov has expressed threats to the organizers of the rally in Magas, inviting them to hold a rally in the territory they treat as illegally transferred to Chechnya. His harsh statements against Ingush activists may cause another round of tension, observers in Chechnya have noted.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on October 4, the head of Chechnya signed a law defining the border with Ingushetia; and on October 16, Chechen authorities declared that the law had come in force. Starting from October 4, protesters in Magas demand a referendum on the border.

Kadyrov accompanied his proposal to hold a rally in the lands transferred to Chechnya with threats, expressing doubts that such daredevils would "go off from there on their feet."

He singled out one of the activists, Akhmed Pogorov, a former Interior Minister of Ingushetia. Kadyrov has stated that at the rally Pogorov incorrectly spoke about Kadyrov, and threatened that he would "ask" for that from the ex-minister himself and his relatives.

Kadyrov also characterized Yunus-Bek Evkurov as "a visionary and wise politician who thinks about his people."

"Kadyrov spoke about the Vainakh brotherhood and mutual respect, but then focused on the Magas rally and spoke out a lot of unpleasant things towards its organizers and participants," Supyan, a Chechen state servant, has stated.

"Kadyrov allowed himself to speak obnoxiously about the rally organizers. This is unacceptable for a man in power. It's like trying to put out a fire with gasoline," said Lukman, a resident of Grozny.