Imams' involvement in recruitment reveals law enforcers' shortage in Chechnya

The participation of Chechen Imams in recruiting residents for working in local law enforcement bodies suggests that this job has become unpopular due to the special operation in Ukraine, the analysts interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot" believe. When applying for law enforcer's job, a person will be enrolled in the reserve, and then face the fact that he is obliged to go and take part in the special operation, the analysts believe.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that in Chechnya recruitment is underway into battalions of the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD); and future fighters are promised salaries starting from 50,000 roubles. The recruitment of contractors was announced amid Kadyrov's threat that those who even think about refusing to go to Ukraine will get to hell.

The facts of recruiting undertaken by local municipal officials and religious figures were reported by the online resources that oppose Chechen authorities; in particular, an audio message was posted on the YouTube on June 16, in which one of the Imams of the mosque in the city of Gudermes told the details of how to join the local police. According to his story, because of the special operation in Ukraine, there's a deficit of law enforcers. The Imam has specified that 30 district law enforcers went to serve for the MoD; and authorities were instructed to find replacement for them.

The Chechen secular and religious bodies are involved in recruiting the staff of law enforcement bodies because of the unwillingness of Chechen residents to take part in the special operation in Ukraine, the blogger, Tumso Abdurakhmanov, has noted.

"People in Chechnya would not [take part in the special operation]; and everyone is well aware that the recruitment is carried out specifically for the [participation therein]. Authorities are trying to hide their real intentions and put people before the fact later, when they have no other choice. People understand it and dislike occurring in a hopeless situation," Tumso Abdurakhmanov told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Offer of employment in law enforcement bodies are also made by employment agencies, a lawyer from Chechnya has noted on condition of anonymity.

"They called to [my jobless acquaintance], registered at the employment centre and offered job in the new power bodies – these four battalions – the North, East, and so on," The source told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent, adding that until recently, it was very difficult to get employed in Chechen power structures. This job has become unpopular among local residents due to the special operation in Ukraine.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on July 22, 2022 at 07:44 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.