Experts on Caucasus doubt Tutaev's discredit after repentance

Supporters of the Chechen preacher Shoip Tutaev will not turn away from him, because of the fact that he had to abandon his views and repent to Ramzan Kadyrov, the experts on the Caucasus, interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot", believe, adding that the authorities have achieved what they had wanted, and Tutaev will have to stop his public activities.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that preacher Shoip Tutaev, who left Chechnya for abroad and actively criticized Ramzan Kadyrov, returned home. At a meeting with the Chechen leader, Shoip Tutaev publicly renounced his beliefs. The Chechen residents interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot" believe Shoip Tutaev did that under pressure.

Tutaev's followers understand quite well that his repentance to Kadyrov was the only way to get back to his family and to protect himself and his relatives, said Akhmet Yarlykapov, a senior collaborator at the Centre for Ethno-Political Studies of the Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology of the Russian Academy of Science (RAS).

"The consequences could have been much more pitiable. In case of his refusal [to apologize to Kadyrov] Tutaev could have disappeared whatsoever. His followers understand what they are facing; therefore, it's unlikely that they will be disappointed," the expert told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

The idea that Tutaev will not lose his supporters after his repentance to Kadyrov was supported by Alexei Malashenko, a member of the Scientific Council of the Moscow Carnegie Centre.

"Naturally, his followers understand the deplorable situation around their mentor," Mr Malashenko told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Along with that, the Chechen authorities seem to have achieved that Tutaev will stop his activities as a preacher, said Malashenko. Shoip-Mullah can continue speaking publicly against Kadyrov only if he leaves Chechnya, but then this will endanger his relatives.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.