Chechen residents complain about coercion to participate in subbotnik

Employees of budget-funded organizations were forced to participate in garbage collection and tree whitewashing, despite the restrictions introduced to COVID-19, residents of the Urus-Martan District of Chechnya have informed. The self-isolation regime "passes with benefit," said the head of the district.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that since April 13, residents of Chechnya are forbidden to leave homes without a permit. Law enforcers are conducting raids to detect violators. The "Grozny" ChGTRK (Chechen State TV and Radio Company) has reported that law enforcers had threatened the detainees in Gudermes to send them to community works.

On May 16, a subbotnik was held in the Urus-Martan District, participation in which was mandatory, Malika, an employee of a local organization, has reported.

Subbotniks for cleaning streets from debris and for landscaping are held under the instruction of the district leadership, the Mayoralty of Urus-Martan has explained.

Residents of Chechnya had earlier complained about enforcement to take part in subbotniks, including after the pandemic was announced by the World Health Organization (WHO) on March 11. Thus, on March 16, local residents said that officials and schoolchildren were forced to participate in mass subbotniks amid the restrictions introduced due to coronavirus.