Mikhail Kasyanov, leader of the PARNAS opposition party, has asked law enforcement agencies to open a criminal investigation into a video posted on Instagram by Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, the Interfax news agency reported.
The request to the Investigative Committee was filed by Kasyanov and PARNAS deputy chairman Vladimir Kara-Murza on Wednesday, lawyer Vadim Prokhorov told Interfax.
The video in question showed Kasyanov and Kara-Murza in a sniper's crosshairs and was posted on Kadyrov's Instagram on Feb. 1.
Kasyanov said he sees the video as a direct threat against a state official, Interfax reported Monday.
The controversial clip — later removed by the website — is not the first attack the Kremlin-backed Chechen leader has made on the Russian political opposition. Last month, Kadyrov labelled Putin's opponents “jackals” and “enemies of the people.”
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
