Video clip about gas prices difference in Dagestan and Chechnya is risk factor for its author

The author of the video clip about high gas prices in Chechnya will be searched for and forced to apologize, the human rights defenders interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot" are sure.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that a driver from Chechnya complained about high prices for liquefied gas. He filmed a video clip at a gas filling station, in which he said that on April 12 the price of gas in Dagestani Khasavyurt was 16.5 roubles, and in Grozny – 21 roubles. The distance from Khasavyurt to the Chechen border, according to the "Yandex.Maps" service, is only 15 kilometres, says the video clip of the "Caucasian Knot".

Ruslan Kutaev, the President of the Assembly of Caucasian Nations, is sure that such videos are dangerous for the author, since he will be searched for and forced to apologize. "Of course, this video clip and the very fact that it showed the price difference is already dangerous for him, because Chechen authorities hate when someone points out their mistakes. This luxury – to be indignant – is not allowed to citizens of Chechnya. Moreover, [the special operation] is underway, and the situation in the republic is tense. We must know that this person has endangered himself; they will look for him, and force him to write down an apology," Mr Kutaev told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Svetlana Gannushkina, the chair of the "Civic Assistance" Committee*, also believes that this video clip is a threat for the author, but found it difficult to imagine how Chechen authorities might react. "Of course, it is dangerous to record such critical videos given the Chechen realities. The author can be punished for this and forced to record a refutation. But another outcome is also possible: authorities can state that they have got acquainted with the problem, and try to promote themselves on that," Ms Gannushkina told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

*The organization has been put by the Russian Ministry of Justice on the register of non-commercial organizations performing the functions of a foreign agent.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on April 15, 2022 at 06:04 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.