Abdurakhmanov's words about revenge for kidnappings emphasize moods in Chechen Diasporas

By his promise of retribution to kidnappers of relatives in Chechnya, Tumso Abdurakhmanov has expressed the common opinion of Ramzan Kadyrov's opponents living abroad, Ruslan Kutaev, a Caucasian expert, and members of Chechen Diasporas have stated. The promised revenge will not affect female relatives of Kadyrov's supporters, they believe.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on January 8, in Strasbourg, near the building of the Council of Europe, a rally was held against kidnappings of relatives of activists and bloggers oppositional to Chechen authorities.

The reason for Abdurakhmanov's words about the retribution was the information about the abduction of his relatives – his cousin living in Chechnya and his wife's mother and sister living in Astrakhan.

Claims against Chechen authorities define the attitude of a large number of Chechens towards them, but not many of them are ready to use similar methods against their opponents, said Ruslan Kutaev, the President of the Assembly of Caucasian nations. The Chechen society treats it unacceptable to violate customs even in relation to their enemies, he has added.

"Whatever the crimes against women and children, this should not cause a response in the form of harm to opponents' women and children. The people who have committed crimes must answer. Their relatives cannot be hostages of these people's behaviour," Mr Kutaev has emphasized.

"Of course, if Kadyrov people continue driving people to despair, then in Europe Diaspora members will start persecuting them, as it happens in Turkey," Khasan Khalitov, a blogger, has stated.