Dzyuba defines limits of apologizing practice to Kadyrov

The practice of public repentances for the words unpleasant to Ramzan Kadyrov has its limits, which was demonstrated by the fair response of Artyom Dzyuba, a "Zenit" FC striker, to the demand to apologize for his opinion about the hard atmosphere of matches in the "Akhmat Arena" Stadium, experts interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot" believe.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on May 21, Vyacheslav Grozny, a former head coach of the "Akhmat" FC, stated that Artyom Dzyuba should apologize for talking about the "oppressive atmosphere" at the "Akhmat-Arena" Stadium.

The people close to Ramzan Kadyrov failed to get an apology from Artyom Dzyuba, since Chechen authorities have no leverage over the football star, while threats addressed to a high-level athlete are fraught with losses and a drop in authority of the threatening person in citizens' eyes, says Svetlana Gannushkina, the head of the "Civil Assistance" Committee*.

She has added that Dzyuba's refusal to apologize for his words about the atmosphere at matches in Grozny has shown his strong character.

If he wishes, Kadyrov can threaten almost any person with impunity, but if we talk about a popular person with a high status, such statements can negatively affect the image of Chechen authorities, says Akhmet Yarlykapov, a senior researcher at the Centre for Caucasian Studies of the Moscow State Institute of Foreign Relations (known as MGIMO). In this regard, he believes, one should not expect any continuation of polemics around Dzyuba's words.

* The organization has been put, by the Russia Ministry of Justice, on the register of non-commercial organizations (NCOs), performing the functions of a foreign agent

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on May 25, 2021 at 09:19 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.