Decision on Kadyrov's bridge provokes controversy among politicians and users of social networks

A bridge in Saint Petersburg was named after Akhmat Kadyrov in spite of the citizens' attitude towards his personality, and the decision itself was adopted with violations. This was stated by opponents of the initiative. In turn, supporters of the decision claim that once Akhmat Kadyrov was awarded the Hero of Russia, his name is worthy of being honoured in any city in the country.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on May 30, the Toponymy Commission of Saint Petersburg announced a proposal to name a bridge over Dudergof Channel after Akhmat Kadyrov. The decision was criticized by figures of culture, and people held protest actions in the city. However, on June 15, the Governor signed a decree to rename the bridge.

The authorities' decision goes against public opinion. This was stated by Boris Vishnevsky, a deputy of the Legislative Assembly of Saint Petersburg from the "Yabloko" Party.

According to deputy Olga Galkina, the Governor has failed to consider the opinion of tens of thousands of Saint Petersburg residents and the fact that only 12 of 50 members of the Legislative Assembly voted in support the new name for the bridge.

Journalist Konstantin Rykov, the former State Duma deputy, has supported the authorities' decision on Facebook. According to him, it was an act of bravery that Akhmat Kadyrov "found in himself the strength to give up the jihad with Russia." Konstantin Rykov has called on to honour the name of Akhmat Kadyrov also in other cities of the country. The journalists called the opponents of the initiative "victims of cheap liberal propaganda."

During the first Chechen war, Akhmat Kadyrov declared jihad against Russia, and since 1994, he participated in the battles of Chechen rebels against federal troops. On August 12, 2000, he called on Chechens to lay down arms.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.