Rights defenders link Baidulaev's radicalization with law enforcers' actions

Law enforcers' illegal violence and repressions push young people to the path of radicalization; and as a result they join the underground, Oleg Orlov, a board member of the Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial", has commented on the story of Kazbek Baidulaev, a native of a Chechen village. Repression against relatives and fear of torture are often forcing youngsters to join militants, Svetlana Gannushkina, a rights defender, believes.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on December 16, law enforcers conducted a counterterrorist operation (CTO) in the Achkhoi-Martan District of Chechnya, during which the alleged militant Kazbek Baidulaev was killed. However, he had earlier been named among those killed on October 11.

By their repressive actions, Chechen authorities, like in the case with Baidulaev, have contributed to add to the ranks of the armed underground, since illegal violence only plays into the hands of terror propagandists, Mr Orlov has stated.

"I remember a young man who was kidnapped in 2016, then tortured ... As a result, he was so angry that he committed suicide," Oleg Orlov has added.

Svetlana Gannushkina, the chair of the "Civil Assistance" Committee, agrees with the opinion that it is necessary to change the methods in relation to the sympathizers of the underground, so that they do not become real militants.