Rights defenders treat Vismuradov's words about drunken drivers as carte blanche for law enforcers

The words of Abuzaid Vismuradov, a Chechen Vice-Premier, about punishments to those who drive their cars after drinking alcohol, will be interpreted by Chechen law enforcers at their own discretion and used as a pretext for persecuting those who are unwanted by the authorities, human rights defenders assert.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on February 6, Abuzaid Vismuradov stated that a driver detained in Chechnya in a drunken state would be "liquidated." Apart from arrest, fine and deprivation of driving license, such a person will face "additional punishment," the Vice-Premier has promised.

Vismuradov's statement should be understood in such a way that Chechen law enforcers "are allowed to do whatever their imagination is enough for," said Ruslan Kutaev, President of the Assembly of Caucasian Nations, suggesting that everything will depend on how influential the detained driver is and what post he occupies.

However, Mr Kutaev agrees with Vismuradov that a drunken driver is a "potential killer", but the punishment should be "exclusively within the bounds of the law."

Vismuradov's statements can be interpreted as a proof that Russian laws fail to work in Chechnya, said Oleg Orlov, a board member of the Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial". He is sure that the "lawlessness" is taking place in Chechnya with the Kremlin's permission.