Analysts dispute on links of Imams’ detention in Ingushetia with their activities

The detention of Imam Mukhammad Tamaskhanov, popular among Ingush youth, became a warning to adherents of spiritual movements whose position diverges from that of the Muftiate; while the version about his links with militants is questionable, analysts have pointed out. Religious disputes are unlikely to have attracted law enforcers’ attention, the opponent has objected.

Mukhammad Tamaskhanov, the Imam of the Nazran mosque, and Magomed Sultygov, the Imam of the mosque in Karabulak, were detained on April 10; sources said the reason was their failure to report the actions of a group of militants, the "Gurazhev grouping", earlier declared wanted. On the same day, it became known about their release. According to sources, they were released under recognizance not to leave the place.

Izabella Evloeva, an Ingush journalist, has notes that Tamaskhanov had recently a great influence on young people.

"Unlike him, the other detainee, Sultygov, is less well-known and had no such an influence on the public opinion, to my mind," she said.

According to Ms Evloeva, Tamaskhanov's relations with the authorities were tense. She does not rule out that the reason for the arrest was in his growing popularity.

"The detention may have to do with his growing influence, especially among the youth, and the strengthening of the position of the Salafi wing," she has concluded, noting that "the power signal addressed to leaders of alternative spiritual movements is aimed to remind them of the boundaries of what is permissible and to limit the growth of their influence outside the authorities’ control."

Izabella Evloeva disbelieves the version of anonymous Telegram channels about the links of the Imams’ detention with the case of “Gurazhev grouping”.