Law enforcers ostracized relatives of employees of Telegram channel opposed to Chechen authorities

Before deporting relatives of the NIYSO Telegram channel’s administrators and active commentators to Ingushetia, law enforcers gathered them and local residents in the mosque of the village of Gikalo and , where a “public curse ritual” was held there. The NIYSO activists considered the events an act of intimidation of the population.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that at least six relatives of those collaborating with the oppositional NIYSO Telegram channel have been detained in Chechnya. This happened amid the Ramzan Kadyrov’s threats against those involved in the attack on law enforcers in Achkhoi-Martan; he named four channel employees as those involved.

Earlier, Said-Ali Abubekirov, one of NIYSO project participants, reported that his relatives were beaten after their kidnapping. He believes that the repression against family members of NIYSO participants is connected with the authority of the Telegram channel in the region.

“Ramzan Kadyrov understands that the NIYSO’s activities affect him and his family. The movement enjoys popular support, has feedback, and a network of informants. The authorities decided to discredit NIYSO and stop its activities,” Said-Ali Abubekirov stated.