11 April 2025, 23:32
Analysts dispute on links of Imams’ detention in Ingushetia with their activities
The detention of Imam Mukhammad Tamaskhanov, popular among Ingush youth, became a warning to adherents of spiritual movements whose position diverges from that of the Muftiate; while the version about his links with militants is questionable, analysts have pointed out. Religious disputes are unlikely to have attracted law enforcers’ attention, the opponent has objected.
Mukhammad Tamaskhanov, the Imam of the Nazran mosque, and Magomed Sultygov, the Imam of the mosque in Karabulak, were detained on April 10; sources said the reason was their failure to report the actions of a group of militants, the "Gurazhev grouping", earlier declared wanted. On the same day, it became known about their release. According to sources, they were released under recognizance not to leave the place.
In October 2024, Ingush law enforcers came to search the home of Imam Mukhammad Tamaskhanov, who had criticized authorities in connection with people’s deaths in a shootout near the Wildberries office, sources reported. Law enforcers released the Imam after a search.
Izabella Evloeva, an Ingush journalist, has notes that Tamaskhanov had recently a great influence on young people.
"Unlike him, the other detainee, Sultygov, is less well-known and had no such an influence on the public opinion, to my mind," she said.
Khamzat Chumakov was a popular preacher, who exposed corruption in state bodies. On September 14, 2010, Chumakov's car was blown up near the village of Ekazhevo in the Nazran District; and as a result of the assassination attempt, his leg was amputated.
According to Ms Evloeva, Tamaskhanov's relations with the authorities were tense. She does not rule out that the reason for the arrest was in his growing popularity.
"The detention may have to do with his growing influence, especially among the youth, and the strengthening of the position of the Salafi wing," she has concluded, noting that "the power signal addressed to leaders of alternative spiritual movements is aimed to remind them of the boundaries of what is permissible and to limit the growth of their influence outside the authorities’ control."
Izabella Evloeva disbelieves the version of anonymous Telegram channels about the links of the Imams’ detention with the case of “Gurazhev grouping”.
This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on April 11, 2025 at 08:59 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.
Author: Roman Kuzhev Source: СK correspondent
