Chechen-Ingush conflict can be provoked by deaths of Almazov and Elmurziev, analysts warn

The deaths of Adam Almazov and Islambek Elmurziev during an attempt to seize an office of the “Wildberries” Company in Moscow caused a wide public outcry in Ingushetia. Both the killed men were security guards and were protecting the office. Their actions were not of a socio-political nature. Analysts believe that the leader of Chechnya stands behind the opponents of the killed man and that the wide public outcry in Ingushetia could actualize the Chechen-Ingush conflict.

Users of Ingush public accounts on the Internet reminded of the issue of blood feud after watching a video that allegedly shows the beginning of the shooting near the “Wildberries” Company’s office in Moscow. Social media users note that relatives of the killed men could resort to blood feud if witnesses to the incident claim that the shooting was directed at unarmed people.

Many young and older people attended the funerals of Adam Almazov and Islambek Elmurziev.

“The young guys were shot and killed in broad daylight. The guys were quite well-known. They were athletes, and one of them, as far as I know, was involved in charity activities,” said Yakub Gogiev, an Ingush ecologist and public figure.

According to his version, people are outraged, and the incident has effectively exacerbated the Chechen-Ingush conflict again.

The funerals of Adam Almazov and Islambek Elmurziev were attended by a lot of people, since the both killed men enjoyed great respect in the republic, the Ingush analyst noted. According to his version, the authorities were not ready for such a large-scale participation of people in the funeral ceremonies.

The shooting incident near the “Wildberries” Company’s office in Moscow could exacerbate the Chechen-Ingush conflict, believes Svetlana Gannushkina*, the chair of the “Civic Assistance” Committee*.

“Everything has been aggravated by the fact that one side of the conflict is openly supported by Ramzan Kadyrov and his associates, who actually came out against the natives of Ingushetia,” Svetlana Gannushkina* noted.

“Islambek left sports for religious reasons. He was anonymously involved in charity activities, helping the poor. He is one of two athletes who supported the 2018 protests. Islambek and Adam ... fulfilled their duty to protect the facility to the end. There is a great demand for justice in society,” the human rights defender emphasized.

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