Threats of Chechen minister exacerbate debates on Imam Shamil in social networks

After a social network user had invited Kadyrov to a duel, Djambulat Umarov, the Chechen Minister for National Policy, has warned network users against insulting the head of the republic. "These brave men run the risk of crawling at his feet and begging pardon," the Minister has warned. Umarov's words resulted in a new round of mutual claims of Dagestanis and Chechens in social networks.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on August 21, Gadjimurad Isabekov, a Makhachkala resident, in his video appeal to Ramzan Kadyrov invited him to a duel, because of his words about Imam Shamil. Kadyrov did not answer to the call, but at least three Chechen residents volunteered to take the fight instead.

"By insulting our leader, you insult our people," Djambulat Umarov wrote in his Instagram. Some commentators treated the Minister's video message as response to Isabekov.

Some social network users disapproved the equality sign voiced out by the Minister between the Chechen people and Ramzan Kadyrov. Some called for an end to the long debate about Imam Shamil.

Let us remind you that back in 2015, rights defenders noted that forcing critics of Kadyrov's regime to apologize had become systemic. Repentance stories regularly appear on the TV, locals assert.