Analysts debated the transformation of public apologies to the Chechens.

The pose of the streamer who apologized to the Chechens on his knees is his improvisation, not a Chechen practice, believes the political scientist. The human rights activist believes that the practice of public apologies is changing towards greater humiliation of the offenders, while the lawyer sees no signs of coercion in the recording.

As reported by “Caucasian Knot”, a Moscow streamer apologized on his knees in early October for insulting the residents of Chechnya. In the first part of the recording, which spread in the Chechen segment of the network, the man walks down the street and insults Chechens; in the second part, he is on his knees in a room reading a text of apology from his phone, stating that he was drunk and "said too much".

If the streamer really insulted the Chechens while intoxicated, then apologizing is the right decision, believes political scientist Ruslan Kutaev*.

“Those who insult without right should apologize. But the fact that he did it on his knees is his improvisation. There is no such practice in Chechen society. And no one forced him to apologize in that way. Perhaps this streamer drew the practice of kneeling from the society in which he lives. I do not think this is behavior imposed by Chechens,” Kutaev* said.

He does not approve of coercion to apologize, but considers apologies a way out of a difficult situation. “Of course, I am not talking about the practice of kneeling. Although in general, apologies are a warning for those who, taking advantage of the situation, believe that they can insult with impunity, or even apply violence to the weak, women, and children. This practice shows that those who mock the defenseless will still be caught,” Kutaev* explained to the correspondent of “Caucasian Knot”.

The chairwoman of the “Civil Assistance” committee* Svetlana Gannushkina* believes that the practice of public apologies is developing towards even greater humiliation of the offenders.

“The traditional culture of Chechens is based on the recognition of human dignity and pride. These apologies fundamentally change the self-awareness of Chechens and turn their community into subjects of their lord. The fear that drives them to such behavior has become, not only in Chechnya but in Russia as a whole, the main mechanism of control,” Gannushkina* stated.

Only the fear of punishment can compel people to apologize on their knees, noted a human rights activist familiar with the situation in Chechnya. At the same time, such a practice, according to him, will not be able to completely protect the residents of the republic from insults.

“There are those who think they won't be found, but this becomes a deterrent. The bad thing is that Chechens themselves have to monitor and punish such people, while the law enforcement system of the region has never reacted to such insults, although they fall under the articles of the criminal code. On the contrary, all this receives approval. But as soon as a person doubts the Kremlin's policy, the whole system kicks in and the person is sent behind bars,” he explained.

The lawyer saw no evidence of coercion in the apology video

The apology video of the streamer does not contain signs of any offense, stated lawyer Timofey Shirokov.

“A person apologizes, why is he on his knees – what's wrong with that? The other question is if he comes and says he was forced, or if witnesses of coercion appear, then that is a reason for action. But right now I do not see circumstances indicating coercion,” he said.

The lawyer doubts that the streamer will complain about coercion after insulting people based on their nationality.

“He didn't just apologize; he insulted someone from the Chechens or all Chechens, recordings existed. If so, he himself could fall under the article on extremism. So, in the end, he will bear more responsibility than the one who allegedly forced him. So I think he is not interested in 'spreading' this situation,” Shirokov concluded.

What videos does streamer Tyunin make

A short fragment of the streamer's recording, which led to subsequent apologies, has spread on social media. In it, Igor Tyunin, walking down the street, loudly addresses "Chechens" with obscene insults, describing certain sexual actions in an imperative form. He does not specify his address; it is unclear from the recording whether the streamer was addressing a specific group of Chechens or meant all Chechens living in the world.

Tyunin streams his games in an online casino, where he makes risky monetary bets. With viewers' money, he plays poker and other gambling games online, recording long streams.

Tyunin's behavior in the video indicates his alcohol dependence. In a stream launched on the evening of October 8, he was drinking with a woman providing sexual services for money; the broadcast was from a room with dirty old wallpaper and a paper letter Z stuck on it.

The resource TrafficCardinal characterizes Tyunin as a "gambling trash streamer with a marginal lifestyle." He "started as a marginal trash streamer with obvious deviations" and gained relative fame after he transferred a donation of a thousand dollars from a Ukrainian streamer for the needs of the Russian Armed Forces: at that time he "played the Russian anthem live and struck a proud pose," the publication from June 10 states.

* included in the Russian register of foreign agents.

** the activities of the Meta company (which owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp) are banned in Russia.