Lawyers assess consequences of Kadyrov's instructions to seize cars from quarantine violators

Ramzan Kadyrov did not have any right to issue instructions to take away cars from participants of long wedding party processions, while only a court could make such decisions, lawyers emphasize. The authorities of Chechnya use illegal methods to deal with quarantine violators, notes conflict expert Ekaterina Sokiryanskaya.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on May 25, the Mufti of Chechnya announced the lifting of the ban on marriage under the Islamic standards imposed earlier because of the coronavirus pandemic. However, sumptuous crowded celebrations are prohibited. The leader of Chechnya harshly criticized violators and issued instructions to take their cars away.

Any seizure of property is possible only under a court's decision, notes Marina Agaltsova, a lawyer at the Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial".

Confiscation of property without a court's order is a direct violation of the law, agrees advocate Evgeny Chernousov.

"The Chechen authorities invent illegal, extravagant methods to combat the coronavirus infection," said Ekaterina Sokiryanskaya, Director of the Conflict Analysis and Prevention Centre.

She has noted that top-ranking officials of the republic do not comply with the strict rules.

In Chechnya, processions of dozens of cars have image and cultural significance, including also for Ramzan Kadyrov, analysts believe.

A car procession of Ramzan Kadyrov should be considered as an element of tradition and a part of the bureaucratic culture, suggests political analyst Alexei Malashenko.