Chechen authorities improve practice of public apologies

A resident of Chechnya and her father apologized on the air of the "Grozny" TV Channel for the girl's arrangements in social networks to raise money for medical treatment of a non-existent child. Local residents believe the father should not have brought any apologies for the actions of his adult daughter.

Authors of the story on the YouTube channel reported that 22-year-old Tamila Suleimanova was raising money from caring people for medical treatment of a child, although she was not married and had no children.

Zelimkhan Istamulov, the chief of the department for citizens' appeals at the administration of the leader and government of Chechnya, says that the act of Tamila Suleimanova dishonours not only her and her father, but also the local authorities.

The girl's father confirms that the money will be returned.

The "Caucasian Knot" correspondent has been explained by human rights defender Aset Malsagova that public apologies brought by senior relatives are a form of collective responsibility among Vainakh people.

Apologies on TV are typical for Chechnya only, notes Akhmet Yarlykapov, a researcher engaged in the oriental studies. According to him, the apologies of the father for his daughter's actions do not disgrace him, but, on the contrary, indicate his courage.

Public repentance on TV "has firmly entered" into the life of the Chechen society, notes Marina, a staff member of a local NGO.

Khasan, a resident of Grozny, believes the farther should not have brought any public apology for his adult daughter Tamila Suleimanova. "The girl is 22 years old, and she is fully responsible for her actions ... Why did they disgrace the elderly father?" said Khasan.