Akhmedova refused to apologize to Alaudinov

Marina Akhmedova, a member of the Presidential Council for Human Rights, responded to a publication by Chechen Ombudsman Mansur Soltayev demanding an apology to the commander of the Akhmat special forces. Akhmedova reiterated her assessment of Apti Alaudinov without naming either him or Soltayev.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," Chechen Ombudsman Mansur Soltayev on November 6 suggested that Marina Akhmedova, a member of the Presidential Council for Human Rights and Civil Society Development, apologize for calling Apti Alaudinov, commander of the Akhmat special forces, "the most talkative general."

Marina Akhmedova published a post about the "unhealthy tendency" to accuse opponents of "working for the enemy" on her Telegram channel on November 7. Although her post doesn't name any positions or names, the context accurately describes Mansur Soltayev's message published the day before and the conflict that arose earlier with Apti Alaudinov.

"At the slightest provocation, various minor officials start shouting about discrediting the army. And, as a rule, these cries are heard in response to healthy criticism," Akhmedova wrote, in particular, after Soltayev deemed her remarks about the head of Akhmat suitable for prosecution under the article on discrediting the armed forces.

The post contains a rebuke directed at someone who "sits on blogs" while active fighting is raging on the front lines and is also "hysterically touchy." "So don't create situations that force you to be criticized. (...) If the army can't be discredited, behave with dignity. Respectable soldiers don't throw words around," she wrote.

Criticism of the Akhmat special forces and its fighters has repeatedly led to public apologies. Thus, in July 2024, Z-blogger Vladimir Romanov, who positions himself as a military correspondent, called Akhmat fighters "TikTokers," and two days after the publication, he found himself "visiting the Akhmat unit," spoke with its commander, Apti Alaudinov, and apologized for spreading "incorrect information." In August of the same year, a soldier serving in the Kursk region apologized for criticizing Akhmat.

At least twice recently, criticism of Akhmat or Apti Alaudinov personally has led to the initiation of administrative cases under the article on discrediting the army. For example, a court in Belgorod fined local resident Irina Maleeva, who called herself a military volunteer, for a comment criticizing the unit. "Akhmat," and in Gelendzhik on November 6, a report was filed against Z-activist Oksana Kobeleva, who several days earlier criticized Alaudinov in her Telegram channel "Security in a vatnik."