Tough driver's detention is in conflict with Chechen traditions

Application of force to a person who tried to escape from a law enforcer is contrary to Chechen traditions, but this happens with authorities' approval. This is how Caucasian experts commented on the video with the cruel detention of a driver in Chechnya.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that in Chechnya, a driver was held liable for drunk driving. A video clip with the driver's apology and another one showing his attempt to escape from a traffic police inspector, but the driver fell down, and the inspector kicked him, were posted in social networks. Some social media users assert that the driver's apology is not enough; others believe that the law enforcer used excessive force.

Cases of excessive use of force by law enforcers "are not supported, but even despised in Chechnya," Ruslan Kutaev, the president of the Assembly of Caucasian Nations, has stated. "Another thing is that such an approach (and even a tougher one – he could have shot him dead) is supported by Chechen authorities," he has added. In his opinion, such a policy "is stimulated by Moscow in order to change Chechens' character."

The behaviour of the law enforcer depicted in the video is not normal for Chechens, Oyub Titiev, a former employee of the Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial"*, has confirmed.