Chechnya

June 13, 2025 18:24

• Saraliev reports new stage of POWs exchange with Ukraine

  The third stage of prisoners-of-war (POWs) exchange with Ukraine was held in accordance with the agreements reached on June 2 in Istanbul, Shamsail Saraliev, a Russian State Duma MP from Chechnya, has reported today.

June 13, 2025 18:21

• Authorities’ and churchmen’s efforts prevent escalation after statements by Alaudinov and Schema-Abbot Gavriil

  The Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) have intervened in the situation that arose after the harsh statements by Schema-Abbot Gavriil and Apti Alaudinov, the commander of the “Akhmat” Special Forces, while the Kremlin has preferred to remain aside, analysts believe.

June 11, 2025 18:36

• Freedom restriction measure for Schepikhin’s kidnappers defines criminal case outcome

  The recognizance not to leave the place prescribed to the Chechen law enforcers, who had kidnapped the blogger Areg Schepikhin, has clearly shown that the case will be closed or the kidnappers will formally sign contracts with the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD). This fits into the trend of impunity of Chechen law enforcers.

June 11, 2025 14:16

• Campaign in defence of Father Gavriil results in dozens of complaints against Apti Alaudinov

  An appeal not to demand the reinstatement of Schema-Abbot Gavriil as the rector of the Sochi metochion in the Valaam Monastery has been posted in a Telegram channel where the priest’s sermons are collected. The “Sorok Sorokov” (Forty Forties) Orthodox movement continues its campaign demanding that Apti Alaudinov be punished for his words about the Orthodox priest.

June 10, 2025 15:01

• Apti Alaudinov’s conflict with Orthodox priest creates precedent in practice of public apologies

  It was “senior comrades” and not the demands of Orthodox activists who convinced Apti Alaudinov, the commander of the “Akhmat” special forces, to apologize to Schema-Abbot Gavriil. However, in the context of the practice of public apologies designed by the Chechen authorities, the case became unique of its kind.

June 09, 2025 16:42

• Sources report liberation of those detained for kidnapping Schepikhin

  The Chechen law enforcers accused within the criminal case of kidnapping the blogger, Areg Schepikhin, have escaped placement into custody.

June 09, 2025 14:27

• Demand to bring Apti Alaudinov to responsibility voiced before religious procession in Moscow

  Orthodox activists have voiced a request to reinstate Schema-Abbot Gavriil, who was dismissed after his statements about Muslims, in the Valaam Monastery and to give a legal assessment to the Apti Alaudinov’s words about the Orthodox priest.

June 08, 2025 17:15

• Alaudinov apologizes to priest with reservation

  Apti Alaudinov, Commander of "Akhmat" Special Forces, has apologized to Schema-Abbot Gavriil "purely because of his age." At the same time, he expressed outrage that the people who demanded an apology to the priest failed to react to Gavriil's statements about Muslims.

June 07, 2025 17:07

• Areg Schepikhin sent to pre-trial prison for two months

  In Moscow, a court arrested blogger Areg Schepikhin for two months in a case on calls for extremism and incitement of hatred. The court hearing was held without allowing journalists to enter the courtroom. Footage from the courtroom shows traces of beatings on the Areg Schepikhin’s face.

June 07, 2025 17:01

• Valaam Monastery dismisses priest after Alaudinov’s reaction to his words about Muslims

  Schema-abbot Gavriil, who stated in his sermon that Muslims, on orders of a mullah, could slaughter all residents of Moscow, has been dismissed from his post as the head of the Sochi stead of the Valaam Monastery. The dismissal of Schema-abbot Gavriil followed a demand for an apology voiced by Apti Alaudinov.

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