Alexander Sokurov's critics note Chechen authorities' attitude to freedom of speech

Workers of culture and art, like film director Alexander Sokurov, criticized in Chechnya for commenting on the Ramzan Kadyrov's title of Hero of Russia, should voice in public their attitude to controversial political and social issues, human rights defender Svetlana Gannushkina and actress Yuliya Aug believe.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the Alexander Sokurov's proposal to review the status of the title of Hero of Russia caused a resonance in Chechnya. Ramzan Kadyrov and Magomed Daudov, the speaker of the Chechen parliament, another Hero of Russia, accused Alexander Sokurov of provocation. On December 12, almost two dozen Chechen scientists and workers of culture signed an angry appeal to Alexander Sokurov. They believe his doubts that Ramzan Kadyrov was worthy of the title Hero of Russia are unreasonable.

Svetlana Gannushkina, the chair of the "Civic Assistance Committee", supported Alexander Sokurov and noted that well-known workers of culture should speak out on political, social and human rights issues. "This is important, since the government responds to the statements of those people," Svetlana Gannushkina explained to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

According to the human rights defender, she is not concerned over the possible consequences for Alexander Sokurov because of his resonant proposal. "Alexander Sokurov is an iconic figure, and I really hope that there will be no consequences for him," Svetlana Gannushkina explained.

Yuliya Aug, a Soviet and Russian theatre and film actress, is also not afraid of possible consequences for Alexander Sokurov after his statements. "I believe that in a real, democratic country, where there is freedom of speech, everyone has the right to speak out on any occasion," Yuliya Aug told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on December 17, 2019 at 01:26 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.