Law enforcers criticize format of raids conducted in Chechnya

In roads of Chechnya, armed people carry out raids and inspect cars. The security measures have been strengthened after two attacks on law enforcers, the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) has explained. During their raids, law enforcers should not wear civilian clothes, otherwise conflicts may occur, veterans-law enforcers have warned. Young people with the beards characteristic of Salafis are persecuted not only in Chechnya, said Alexei Malashenko, an Orientalist.

After the attacks on law enforcers committed in Grozny and in the Achkhoi-Martan District, armed people in civilian clothes are conducting raids in Chechnya; they stop drivers and inspect cars, local residents told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

When inspecting cars, law enforcers must follow certain rules, Evgeny Chernousov, a lawyer and a retired colonel, has stated. According to his story, a law enforcer must be in his uniform, introduce himself, show his service certificate and explain the reason for the stop. Then, the law enforcer may ask the driver to open the trunk and show things.

Russia has no special regime, under which law enforcers without identifying signs and without introducing themselves can stop cars, Colonel Sergey Militsky has confirmed.

"This is fraught with conflict, as law enforcers can stop their colleagues," he has explained.

The practice of persecuting men with beards and shaved moustaches exists not only in Chechnya, but also in the neighbouring Dagestan, although "the scale of the impact on the population is much lower there," Alexei Malashenko has stated.