Lawyers see law violation in neglecting masks by Chechen authorities

The appearance of the head of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, and his entourage in public places without medical masks required during the coronavirus epidemic can be treated as a violation, for which a fine is provided, lawyers believe.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on July 29, Chechen authorities tightened the quarantine regime because of the aggravation of the coronavirus situation. In particular, residents were ordered to strictly observe the mask-wearing regime in public places. At the same time, in the July 31 report on the "Grozny" TV Channel, Chechen leaders, who visited Akhmat Kadyrov' grave, stood in a close circle without medical masks. Residents of Chechnya were outraged by the violation of the mask regime by the head of Chechnya and his retinue.

Tatiana Glushkova, a lawyer with the Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial", has noted that the cemetery visited by Ramzan Kadyrov and his entourage is a public place; therefore, being there without masks should treated as a violation, for which a fine must be imposed.

Rizvan Ibragimov, a Chechen publicist and historian, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that he was outraged by Kadyrov's behaviour. Moreover, it is common for the head of Chechnya, he has noted.

"The country's population is divided into two parts: small elite that has appropriated the right to behave as such, and the rest of the population," Mr Ibragimov has stated. "(Kadyrov's) walking without a mask is a small special case."

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on August 5, 2020 at 02:33 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.