Kadyrov threatens athletes and bloggers for discrediting Chechen traditions

Tough work will be conducted with those bloggers and athletes who, through their actions, question the values of Chechen customs and traditions, the head of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, has stated. In his turn, Isa Ibragimov, the Chechen Minister of Sports and Youth Policy, has promised that those guilty will be punished in accordance with Chechen traditions.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Chechen authorities have repeatedly stated that the actions of those Chechen bloggers and athletes that do not comply with local customs are unacceptable. On September 2, Kadyrov ordered to take control over the incident with the MMA fighter, Shovkhal Churchaev, who staged a mass brawl in a shopping centre in Moscow during his press conference.

"If you are an athlete, go in for sports. This is where your mission ends, but don't get involved in politics. Some take part in dubious programmes that are against Chechen national customs and traditions, but just for the sake of hype," the "Chechnya Today" News Agency has quoted Ramzan Kadyrov as saying.

On November 20, the above Minister Isa Ibragimov reprimanded the sports bloggers, Askhab Tamaev and Arbi Emiev for "dubious video clips." They promised not to take part in shows "inappropriate for Chechens" anymore.

Let us recall that in July 2020, bloggers from the Chechen Diaspora who criticized Kadyrov's regime spoke about regularly receiving threats.