Analysts explain Delimkhanov's reaction to Zakuskin's incident with elderly Chechen woman

Law enforcement bodies should react to the incident of the Moscow deputy Alexander Zakuskin with the elderly Chechen woman Yusupkhadjieva and resolve the case according to the law so that the situation does not turn into an interethnic conflict, the Caucasian analysts interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot" have pointed out, stressing that traditional response mechanisms to Zakuskin's actions have been engaged in the absence of timely reaction by the police.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that on February 13, Alexander Zakuskin, the head of the council of delegates for the Meschansky District of Moscow, posted a video with his apology to Chechen native Salima Yusupkhadjieva. Alexander Zakuskin emphasized that the conflict “was exclusively domestic in nature, and not international.’

The situation with Zakuskin should develop exclusively within the legal field; the issue will be "resolved" only after Zakuskin is fired and punished in accordance with the law, Svetlana Gannushkina, the chair of the "Civic Assistance" Committee*, believes. After receiving an apology, the issue should not be treated as settled, regardless of what Delimkhanov said to Zakuskin and what threats are received by the latter, she has stressed.

"Chechens have a sense of collectivism. In this situation, the law does not work, law enforcers are inactive; and therefore the 'traditional mechanisms' are turned on. I can't say that this is justified, but it is at least some kind of protection," Ms Gannushkina has emphasized.

The passions around this incident must be curbed; otherwise it may escalate into an interethnic conflict, Alexei Malashenko, a political analyst, believes. “The deputy's behaviour is rudeness, regardless of nationality. If there was a woman's son, husband, brother or a grandson next to her, he would have punched the deputy in the face. But instead he (Zakuskin) fell under Chechen folk traditions and Delimkhanov. The danger of the situation lies in the fact that an interethnic conflict could flare up," Mr Malashenko has stated.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on February 14, 2022 at 07:20 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.