Grozny students state enforcement to march on Constitution Day

In Grozny, about 4000 people took part in the march on the occasion of the 16th anniversary of the Chechen Constitution, the city authorities have announced. However, the marchers themselves complained about their forced participation in the event.

On March 23, Chechnya marks the Republic's Constitution Day; the new basic law of the Chechen Republic was adopted in March 2003 at a referendum.

"On the occasion of the anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution, on March 23, Grozny hosted a massive march, organized by the Republic's Ministry of Youth's Matters and the "Akhmat" Patriotic Club. About 4000 people took part in it," a source from the city Mayoralty told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Some marchers claim that they were brought to the action by force.

"On Friday (March 22), we were told to take part, on the following day, in the march on the Constitution Day," said Shamil, a student of a Grozny higher school.

According to his story, the course methodologist and teachers controlled the attendance. "All those who came were noted; while those who failed to appear were promised problems in passing tests and exams," he said.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on March 24, 2019 at 08:51 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.