Public organizations of Chechnya join All-Russian People's Front

The Association of Chechen Public and Cultural Associations of Russia and the Union of Chechen Student Youth have announced their accession to the All-Russian People's Front. The former includes the organizations registered in Moscow and other Russian regions; the latter unites students and postgraduates studying in Russia's major cities.

The accession of the Chechen public organizations to the All-Russian People's Front (ARPF), created by the Prime Minister of Russia Vladimir Putin, was announced by the head of the republic Ramzan Kadyrov. "In recent days I was approached by activists of the Chechen social, cultural, and youth organizations, which unite scientific, cultural, intellectuals and student youth and which are registered in Moscow and other cities," the press service of the head of Chechnya quotes Kadyrov as saying.

Members of Chechen public organizations believe that the decision to join the All-Russian People's Front is imposed on them by the authorities of the republic.

Currently, the Association of Chechen Public and Cultural Organizations of Russia is under control of Adam Delimkhanov, one of the closest Kadyrov's associates and State Duma deputy from the "Edinaya Rossiya" (United Russia) Party. The "Caucasian Knot" correspondent learnt about it from a member of the Association, who lives in Moscow and preferred to remain anonymous.

Few people in Chechnya doubt that practically all the local NGOs will join the ARPF.

"Ramzan Kadyrov has stated that the republic's public organizations will join the Putin's ARPF. Those who know the situation in Chechnya understand what it means. The NGOs may be simply added to the list of the ARPF members; or their heads may be invited and explained that their organizations should join the ARPF. I don't think many of them will refuse," believes one of local observers.