Display of teen’s body in Chechnya sparks global outcry
In a Chechen town, regional authorities decided to display the body of a teenager who attacked police officers in the main square, forcing teachers and students to observe. The Kremlin spokesperson doubts this account, while a member of the Human Rights Council under the President of Russia described this as reminiscent of medieval times.
Many of the reports disseminated by Russian media and government representatives are likely to be untrue. Such reports may be part of an information campaign by the Russian Federation.
The display of the teenager's body in Achkhoi-Martan, Chechnya, has sparked considerable controversy. The 17-year-old reportedly attacked two police officers with a knife, resulting in the death of one. Witnesses claimed that Chechen authorities compelled teachers and children to attend a rally and view the boy’s body, supposedly to deter others from committing similar acts.
The leader of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, also ordered collective punishment of the 17-year-old's family, including the expulsion of the attacker's relatives and the confiscation of their property. Furthermore, he alleged that the attacker was Ukrainian. Videos of the body display have surfaced online, though they are too graphic for publication.
Interestingly, the Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, addressed the situation. "We do not wish to rely on information circulated by opposition channels on Telegram. We do not consider these sources reliable, and we lack alternative information," the spokesperson's comments were reported by the "Meduza" portal, with radio Mayak as the source.
Ewa Merkacheva, a member of the Human Rights Council under the Russian President, also commented on the situation. She condemned the event as "medieval" and "barbaric." She stressed that such actions defy any legal norms and signify a regression in civilisational progress.
Humanity has progressed away from bloody feuds, capital punishment, and public cruelty. What is occurring now, in my opinion, represents a cultural and civilisational regression. Most importantly, it is ineffective - "Meduza" quotes Merkacheva.
The council member mentioned research indicating that severe penalties do not reduce crime. In her view, such measures may only increase aggression. Another member of the Human Rights Council, Kirill Kabanov, reminded everyone that despite "national traditions and regional specificities," Russia has a constitution and applicable laws.
