On 24 October, Chechen Parliament Speaker Akhmed Dudaev visited Vladikavkaz alongside the Chechen Minister for National Policy, External Relations, Press and Information. At a meeting with North Ossetian leader Sergei Menyailo, representatives of the republic’s leadership and students from Chechnya, Dudaev stressed the need to respect local traditions and customs. He also said that the Chechen authorities were carrying out preventive work with compatriots living in other regions. The visit took place amid public controversy over a shooting in Vladikavkaz in which Chechen MMA fighter Ibrahim Islamov, known as Nikarkho, was injured.

“Every young person must understand that they represent their republic, their people and their culture. They are not here on their own. The fact that they have left their republic does not give them the right to do whatever they want,” Dudaev said, addressing Chechen students studying outside the republic.

He stressed that people visiting other regions should take local traditions and customs into account.

“When we visit one another — whether in the North Caucasus or other regions of our country — we must remember that these republics and regions are home to people with their own traditions, customs, mentality and identity. Every people has its own norms and rules. There is such a thing as etiquette,” the Chechen parliament speaker said.

Dudaev assured those present that the Chechen authorities would continue their preventive work with compatriots living outside the republic. He said special mechanisms were in place for this purpose, including a network of representatives of the Chechen leader.

“We have effective mechanisms for preventive work with our compatriots. The system of representatives of the head of the republic in other regions works very well. If our compatriots living in other regions violate the traditions, peace and customs of the local population, we will not allow it. We will continue this work,” he warned.

Dudaev also urged people to contact the Chechen authorities if they believed that accusations made against their compatriots were unfounded.

“If there are any complaints relating to someone having come to another region, or any unfounded accusations, please get in touch. We are open. There are various channels through which you can contact us. If the complaints are unfounded, we will be happy to look into the matter together with our colleagues,” he said.

The Chechen parliament speaker also addressed young people who travel to other regions to study.

“You need to understand that you have come to another republic, another federal subject: gain knowledge, study and do not disrupt public order where you are staying,” Dudaev urged.

He said that individual incidents could attract widespread attention on social media and foster negative attitudes towards entire ethnic groups. In this context, the Chechen parliament speaker referred to “provocateurs”, the “fifth column” and “ill-wishers”, who, in his view, might exploit such situations.

“If we give various provocateurs and representatives of what is known as the ‘fifth column’ an opportunity to exploit everyday disputes and amplify them online, this creates a negative, toxic atmosphere around an entire ethnic group,” Dudaev said.

According to Dudaev, once such stories spread online, a dispute between individuals can cease to be seen as a personal conflict and instead take on an “interethnic or interfaith dimension”.

North Ossetian leader Sergei Menyailo also stressed the importance of preserving interethnic peace.

“We all know from experience how precious a fragile peace is. One ill-considered act, one ill-considered action, one wrong step can destroy what has taken years to build. An ordinary everyday dispute can become a spark that ignites a flame of mutual distrust and hostility. And there are forces that want this to happen. Our task is to do everything possible to prevent it,” Menyailo said.

He called on people to “live in brotherly friendship, as is the case today between the leaderships of our republics, between myself and the respected Ramzan Akhmatovich [Kadyrov]”.