08:26, 1 February 2019

Head of North-Ossetian MIA fails to support Kadyrov's idea to demolish block-posts

Mikhail Skokov. Photo: website of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for Smolensk Region https://sputnik-ossetia.ru/North_Ossetia/20160412/1685906.html

The check-post "Chermen" should not only be preserved, but still strengthened, Mikhail Skokov, the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) of North Ossetia, is convinced. This opinion is against the proposal of the head of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, on the elimination of block-posts in the regions of Northern Caucasus.

Mr Skokov voiced out his opinion on January 31 at a meeting with media people, stressing that "post should remain until they are relevant."

On December 6, 2018, the head of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, called for the removal of all block-posts set up between the regions of the North-Caucasian Federal District (NCFD). "The regions of Northern Caucasus should get rid of block-posts set up in administrative borders [...] There is practically no help of them. Are they against bandits? But they will move along other roads. Meanwhile, people with their cars, living in one country and in one district, have to spend time when passing through block-posts," Mr Kadyrov wrote in his Telegram channel.

In his turn, Mikhail Skokov, speaking about the "Chermen" checkpoint, recalled that repeated attempts to smuggle weapons and drugs, in particular, in October 2012, were prevented at this block-post.

"Only the top management of the MIA of the Russian Federation has the right to make a decision [...]. My opinion is unequivocal – this post should remain and fulfil its mission," said the minister as quoted by the "Alania" GTRK (State TV and Radio Company).

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on January 31, 2019 at 07:38 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.