In Chechnya, sending to war is method to punish drivers

Chechen law enforcers are monitoring social networks and reveal violators of traffic rules, who may face both public reprimand and sending to the special military operation (SMO) zone. The effect of talks with law enforcers is caused by fear of the consequences, human rights defenders have noted.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on February 19, the Chechen police posted a video of an apology from a participant in a traffic accident. A video of an apology from a driver from the Gudermes District who gave children a ride in the truck back was also released.

Prophylactic talks have an impact on offenders, since they are afraid of the authorities, Ruslan Kutaev, a political analyst, is sure.

According to his version, the law enforcers’ attention to participants of road accidents may be due to the fact that law enforcement bodies are monitoring social networks and use any opportunity to force them to sign a contract for taking part in the SMO.

Svetlana Gannushkina*, the head of the "Civic Assistance" Committee*, is not sure that after prophylactic talks, offenders can change their attitude to the law.

"In the case of Chechnya, it is more fear than prophylactic talks ... It is important to convey to people that the law must be observed and not violate traffic rules, since this can lead to disastrous results," she has explained.

"For Chechnya, it is important to be one of the main suppliers of human resources for the SMO; and this resource is diminishing, since people wouldn’t see their sons as fighters. In such a situation, both offenders and criminals and innocent citizens will be forced," Ms Gannushkina* has added.

*Included by the Russian Ministry of Justice (MoJ) into the register of foreign agents.