Analysts treat Akhmat Kadyrov's idea of Chechen censorship in social networks as absurd

Officials cannot define behaviour norms for the Chechen society, since they are formed by the society itself; and the search for social network users, whose actions and statements contradict the Chechens' mentality, will lead to mass repressions with forced apologies, analysts are sure.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on February 17, it became known that the 18-year-old Akhmat Kadyrov was appointed Minister of Youth Matters of Chechnya. He instructed employees of his ministry to look for social network users, whose actions contradict the mentality of the Chechens in order to conduct some education with them.

When a person like Akhmat Kadyrov occupies the minister position, this in itself devalues both this position and the entire system of power, Svetlana Gannushkina*, the chair of the "Civic Assistance" Committee*, has stated.

In her opinion, repressive measures can be taken against those who, in bureaucrats' understanding, fail to meet the Chechens' culture and mentality. "This control will become another way of fighting not even against dissidents, but simply against those who are undesirable," Ms Gannushkina* has noted, believing that the search for violators of Chechen traditions in social networks will result in "shows" with apologies, which are widespread in Chechnya.

The behaviour norms in the Chechen society are defined by the society itself and cannot be dictated by officials, Ruslan Kutaev, the President of the Assembly of Caucasian Nations, has stressed. Users may have problems due to bureaucrats' actions, he is sure.

They will be guided only by their own understanding of the "norms of Chechen culture and mentality," Akhmet Yarlykapov, a senior researcher at the Studying Centre of Regional Problems at the MGIMO (Moscow State University of International Relations), has emphasized.

*Included by the Russian Ministry of Justice (MoJ) into the register of foreign agents.