Commander of special regiment of Chechen MIA voices threats to Tepsurkaev's defenders

Zamid Chalaev, the commander of the special regiment of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) of Chechnya, called the words of critics of the republic's authorities after the publication of the video with the humiliation of Salman Tepsurkaev as empty talks, stating that they would be "called to account." Activists believe that authorities are trying to reduce the negativity caused by this video.

According to Tepsurkaev, he was punished for "writing offensive verses about other people's mothers and sisters, saying that they were prostitutes."

Zamid Chalaev, the commander of the Akhmat Kadyrov special patrol-and-post regiment of the Chechen MIA, said that the hero of the video had found "defenders", including Chechens living in Europe. He named among them Akhmed Zakaev, the head of the government of the self-proclaimed Ichkeria (banned in Russia).

"What they did with Tepsurkaev has caused a huge negative resonance. The Internet is full of harsh statements on Chechen authorities ... They have suffered huge image losses," Umar, an activist, believes.

"Our authorities didn't expect such a reaction to what they did with this unfortunate guy ... Many now say that authorities and law enforcers have crossed all borders and disgraced the entire Chechen people before the world," Israil said.