Kadyrov's threats to social network commentators should be taken seriously

The threats of Ramzan Kadyrov addressed to commentators in social networks are serious, human rights defenders assert. Authorities can easily identify these commentators, an expert has warned.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on June 11, Kadyrov commented on the situation with the demolition of a road sign in the outskirt of Kizlyar. He called on residents of Chechnya and Dagestan "not to succumb to provocations," and promised "to break fingers and tear out tongues" of those who write offensive comments.

Svetlana Gannushkina, the head of the Civil Assistance Committee, considers Kadyrov's words a serious threat. In her opinion, they should become a reason for checking people for corpus delicti.

Kadyrov's words don't fall under any article of the Russia's Criminal Code, as the threats have no specific addressee, Alexander Verkhovsky, the director of the "Sova" Information and Analytical Centre, believes. However, he has added that such words "are completely unacceptable for a statesman."

Authorities possess technical means to identify commentators in social networks, Ilya Shatilin, an expert of the "Telecom Daily" Agency, is sure. He has noted that users themselves often reveal their personal data.

Kadyrov's words are, first of all, an act of intimidation, since he doesn't like criticism, Galina Arapova, a lawyer, believes.