Chechen residents treat Ramzan Kadyrov's statement about journalist as unethical

Ramzan Kadyrov suggested that criticism of the Chechen authorities in articles by Elena Milashina was dictated by an author's bitterness at Chechen men. While trying to refute the article about clean-ups in Chechnya, the leader of the republic violated the rules of decency, local residents note.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the press secretary of Ramzan Kadyrov refused to comment on the information released by the newspaper "Novaya Gazeta" about the detentions and torture of Chechen officials. After that, Ramzan Kadyrov stated that some media were trying to create a "negative image of Chechnya."

The "Grozny" TV Channel reports on its YouTube channel that while speaking of "ill-wishers," Ramzan Kadyrov referred to the newspaper "Novaya Gazeta" and its correspondent Elena Milashina.

"Elena Milashina is especially fond of writing about us from negative position. It feels like she was once offended by a Chechen man. Please tell her that we can find a worthy fiance for her," the agency "Chechnya Today" quoted Ramzan Kadyrov as saying.

Beslan, a staff member of a Chechen NGO, found the public statement of the Chechen leader unethical. "In the Caucasus, we have a tradition to treat a woman with respect, no matter who she is," Beslan said.

"It's a kind of style of the Chechen authorities: to refute everything negative and try to present authors of posts as liars," noted Imran, another resident of Chechnya.