Chechen authorities ignore restrictions imposed because of coronavirus

Breaking their own imposed bans is a usual practice for Chechen authorities, Ruslan Kutaev and Ekaterina Sokiryanskaya have noted in their comment on the solemn opening of the Palace of Arts in Grozny amid the restrictions imposed because of the coronavirus.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on March 26, Grozny hosted a grand opening of the Palace of Arts. The Chechen authorities decided to hold the celebration in spite of their own calls to cancel all mass events.

Holding public events during quarantine threatens the lives of the participants thereof, said Ruslan Kutaev, President of the Assembly of Caucasian Nations.

"Yes, it has always been the case: there are one set of rules for the authorities, and another one for residents of Chechnya [...] Here, of course, we see double standards, and the maximum likelihood that [people] may get infected," Mr Kutaev told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

In Chechnya, everyone has long understood that there are different rules for the authorities and the society, Ekaterina Sokiryanskaya, Director of the Centre for Conflict Analysis and Prevention, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

"There are leaders – and we see them in other countries apart from Chechnya, – who behave like untouchables. It seems to them that their biological body is as different from ordinary mortals same as their influence and power. But the virus can bring down Boris Johnson (Prime Minister of Great Britain, – note of the "Caucasian Knot"), and Ramzan Kadyrov. Like anyone else who believes that he is beyond the quarantine. If the authorities fail to understand this right now and begin taking measures, they'll endanger themselves," Ms Sokiryanskaya has stated.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on March 30, 2020 at 06:59 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.