Tumso forces Chechen public TV to publish archival video with Akhmat Kadyrov

The Chechen TV and Radio Company published a video filmed in 1998, in which Akhmat Kadyrov criticized Aslan Maskhadov's opponents. Residents of Chechnya interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot" noted that the video appeared against the background of discussions between blogger Tumso Abdurakhmanov and Chechen officials.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that an online dispute between Djambulat Umarov, Minister for National Policy of Chechnya, and blogger Tumso Abdurakhmanov about the Akhmat Kadyrov's calls for jihad forced Ramzan Kadyrov to explain and interpret the statements of his father. Then Djambulat Umarov refused to continue the discussion with Tumso Abdurakhmanov, and Magomed Daudov, the speaker of the Chechen parliament, entered into a debate with the blogger.

On March 11, the video titled "Exclusive video of the Sharia court over Maskhadov" was posted on the website of the "Grozny" Chechen TV and Radio Company.

"Watch this unique archival video to find out who actually sold and betrayed the so-called 'Ichkeria' back in 1998. Only few people know that on November 18, 1998, Shamil Basaev, Zelimkhan Yandarbiev, Vakha Arsanov, and many others openly opposed Aslan Maskhadov and accused him of betrayal and high treason. Instead of solving the problems of the people, they shared power and money. Akhmat-Khadji Kadyrov, who risked his life for the truth, was the only one who thought about the people of our republic," state the comments to the video.

Publication of the above video on the website and YouTube channel of the Chechen TV and Radio Company is directly related to the recent public discussions between Djambulat Umarov, Minister of National Policy and Parliament, Magomed Daudov, the speaker of the parliament, and blogger Tumso Abdurakhmanov regarding the statements of Akhmat Kadyrov, believe residents of Chechnya interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot".

"I didn't even know about the existence of that video. It's clear there is a reason why they pulled the video out of the archive. This is a response of our authorities to Tumso and other 'spiteful critics,' as the text on the website notes," believes Adlan, a local resident.

"Of course, this is a response of our authorities to Tumso Abdurakhmanov. There is no other reason to demonstrate the video. They have never shown it until now," said Lukman, a resident of Grozny.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on March 13, 2019 at 02:11 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.