Navalny urges "United Russia" to react to Chechen MP's statement about Russians

Magomed Khanbiev, a member of the Chechen parliament, published a video in which he declared himself "the son of Ichkeria" and said that he "did not like Russians." Russian oppositionist Alexei Navalny drew attention to the fact that the authorities of the country failed to react to the statement voiced by the MP.

On March 10, the video, in which Magomed Khanbiev, the former Defence Minister of Ichkeria, a member of the Chechen parliament, declared his attitude towards the Russians, was disseminated by WhatsApp users, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reported.

In the video, the Chechen MP addressed Instagram users whose nicknames were not mentioned. "Padishah [leader] of my people is a Chechen. I never speak Russian. I never talk to Russians. I never gave up to any Russian. I never had any conversation with a Russian general or officer. I don't like them today either. I am a son of Ichkeria, and I have always been one," said Magomed Khanbiev, whose statement was translated into Russian by the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny drew attention to the statement voiced by Magomed Khanbiev. In a video broadcast published on March 14 on the "Navalny LIVE" YouTube channel, Alexei Navalny said the authorities should respond to the statement voiced by the Chechen MP.

"It is assumed that officials have some kind of restraints ... If you were the Minister of Defence [of Ichkeria], then you came over to Russia, joined the 'Edinaya Rossiya' (United Russia) Party and became an official in Russia, you may not say such things," Alexei Navalny suggested.

According to his biography posted on the website of the Chechen parliament, Magomed Khanbiev is a member of the "Edinaya Rossiya" Party faction.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on March 15, 2019 at 02:23 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.