Appeal of well-known Russian designer to Kadyrov provokes irony in social network

Russian designer and blogger Artemy Lebedev reproached Ramzan Kadyrov for his calls to punish severely the authors of negative posts about Chechnya. The critical appeal of the blogger is written with an emphasized correct tone, Facebook users note.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the leader of Chechnya voiced a demand for identification of authors of negative posts about the republic. Ramzan Kadyrov said that "anyone who infringed on honour and dignity would suffer the most severe punishment." The Ramzan Kadyrov's speech contained the calls to stop such people "by killing, imprisoning, and intimidating," the BBC Russian Service reported.

The Ramzan Kadyrov's demand to identify the authors of negative posts about Chechnya looks like a threat of persecution for the person's right to have an opinion, note media lawyer Galina Arapova and human rights defender Lev Levinson.

Artemy Lebedev posted his appeal to the leader of Chechnya on Facebook. The blogger pointed out to Ramzan Kadyrov that "without justice we would return to the Stone Age." According to Artemy Lebedev, "strong men solve their problems bloodlessly."

"Intelligence is stronger than muscle. Respect cannot be gained by force. Only fear can be gained by force ... Hugs, brother," the blogger wrote.

Authors of some comments noted that the last phrase is subservient and discordant with the critical context of the appeal. Many social network users drew attention to the careful rhetoric of the post.

Others suggest that the blogger risks coercion into a public apology.