10:27, 23 February 2019

Chechen minister and blogger argue on reasons of Chechen War

Screenshot of a video appeal published on Djambulat Umarov's page on Instagram. Umarov talks to the blogger Tumso Abdurakhmanov live

Djambulat Umarov, the Chechen Minister for National Policy, who has called the blogger Tumso Abdurakhmanov to an online discussion, could not answer the blogger's question about Akhmat Kadyrov and his calls for jihad. Social networks users regard that Abdurakhmanov was more convincing in the discussion.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Tumso Abdurakhmanov, who was put on the wanted list in Russia, had tried to get asylum in Georgia and Poland, but was refused in both countries. On February 14, Umarov proposed to appoint Tumso as the head of Chechnya's envoy in Poland, if the blogger presents a suitable concept for the development of Chechnya's external relations.

In law enforcers' opinion, Abdurakhmanov had links with Syrian militants. The blogger himself associates the charges against him with his conflict with some Kadyrov's high-ranking relative.

The minister was bewildered by the blogger's question about the person, who called on Chechen residents to fight against the federal forces. "Tell me the name of the man, who called for jihad!" Abdurakhmanov asked in the video posted on the YouTube, hinting at Akhmat Kadyrov, Ramzan's father.

In response, the Minister complained about unstable communication and ended the dialogue. Abdurakhmanov has noted that Umarov heard an uncomfortable question and decided not to continue the dialogue.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on February 23, 2019 at 00:37 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.