Maria Zakharova accuses Finnish journalist of cowardice after his refusal to travel to Chechnya

Maria Zakharova, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of the Russian Federation, has commented on the refusal of Finnish journalist Erkka Mikkonen to travel to Chechnya. She wrote on Facebook that he was "scared" and refused to visit Chechnya under the pressure of his bosses.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on May 31, Maria Zakharova asked Ramzan Kadyrov "to organize a study tour to Chechnya" for the reporter of the "Yleisradio", who asked her about the persecution of gays in the republic. On the same day, Ramzan Kadyrov invited journalists to visit Chechnya. On July 1, Elina Ravantti, the chief of the "Yleisradio", explained that the journalist would not be able to meet members of the LGBT community of Chechnya without endangering them.

Meanwhile, in a comment under the Maria Zakharova's post, journalist Alexei Kovalev, the former editor-in-chief of the "InoSMI" project, has mentioned that in March 2016, a car with human rights defenders and foreign journalists, including Norwegian journalist Øystein Windstad, was attack on the border of Ingushetia and Chechnya.

Alvi Karimov, the spokesman for the leader of Chechnya, has agreed with the Maria Zakharova's conclusions.

"I completely share the opinion of Maria Zakharova," said Alvi Karimov as quoted by the "NSN".

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