Rights defenders: opponents of "Terek" FC's renaming to "Akhmat" too scared to report their contacts

The proposal of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov to hold an explanatory conversation with opponents of renaming the "Terek" FC to the "Akhmat" FC sounds like a threat. This opinion was expressed by Igor Kalyapin. At present, there will be most likely no critics to the renaming of the "Terek" FC, as well as no gays, in the republic, Alexander Cherkasov believes.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that residents of the republic considered that the change of the FC's name in honour of Akhmat Kadyrov, the former leader of the republic and the Ramzan Kadyrov's father, is a conjuncture decision. Ramzan Kadyrov has asked the opponents to the FC's renaming to report to him the numbers of their mobile phones for an explanatory conversation.

One could recall the story of the spring of 2016, when such an "explanatory conversation" was carried out with regard to two publicists who disseminated theories about the ancient history of the Chechen people, noted Alexander Cherkasov, the chairman of the Council of the Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial".

Besides, according to Alexander Cherkasov, people can also remember the stories of local residents who complained about corruption and who after explanatory conversations repented to Ramzan Kadyrov.

People will not respond to the Ramzan Kadyrov's call to report their contacts, says Igor Kalyapin, a member of the Russian Presidential Council on Human Rights and Civil Society Development, the leader of the "Committee for the Prevention of Torture".

Igor Kalyapin believes that football fans will always perceive with displeasure the renaming of their favourite FC. However, according to him, it is unlikely that the opponents of the FC's renaming will be able to succeed in seeking the old name for their FC.

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