Video with allegedly assassinated Chechen resident, Valid Yakhikhanov, intrigues Instagram users

The video clip by Chingiz Akhmadov, a journalist of the "Grozny" ChGTRK (Chechen State TV and Radio Company) showing Valid Yakhikhanov, who, according to the blogger, Tumso Abdurakhmanov, had been killed in Chechnya, is actively commented on by Instagram users. Some of them doubt that Yakhikhanov is alive.

In Akhmadov's video, the man was named as Valid Yakhikhanov, a relative of Islam Kadyrov, whose name was mentioned in connection with the attempt on the head of Chechnya.

The blogger had invited Kadyrov's close associates to picture Valid Yakhikhanov, who, according to the "Novaya Gazeta", had given Kadyrov's phone number to the personal enemies of the head of Chechnya. According to Tumso Abdurakhmanov, Yakhikhanov was killed for this.

Most of Akhmadov's subscribers have believed his words and criticized Abdurakhmanov.

The local activists interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent divided in their opinions on whether the person presented in Akhmadov's video was really Valid Yakhikhanov.

"I think Tumso could have some false information about Yakhikhanov's execution because of his involvement in a possible conspiracy against Ramzan. I think there wasn't much sense in killing Yakhikhanov," Aslambek is sure.

"Now, we are witnessing a real information war between Tumso and the Chechen authorities. The latter's main goal is to discredit the blogger as much as possible," Maret has stated, not excluding a possibility that the blogger was provided with some false information about the execution of Yakhikhanov; and now they have used it against Tumso.