Today I am posting the video of a most interesting press conference which took place in Moscow and which was made possible thanks to the support of the Russian news agency RIA-Novosti.  This press conference brought together the father of Ibragim Todashev (murdered by FBI agents in Orlando), Abdulbaki Todashev, Saurbek Sadakhanov, a Chechen lawyer, and Kheda Saratova, an independent Chechen researcher.  The main organizer of this press-conference was Maksim Shevchenko, a well-known Russian Orthodox activist and journalist. 

I am very sorry that I do not have a subtitled or translated version of this press conference, and I apologize for the fact that I simply do not have the time do such a translation by myself.  I will, however, summarize the main thesis mentioned by the participants to this press-conference: Chechens in the USA are now treated as terrorists simply for being Chechens.  Ibragim Todashev, in particular, had absolutely nothing to do with the Boston Bombing.  His only “crime” was that a) he was a Chechen b) he was a Muslim c) he spoke to the Tsarnaev brothers when he met them.

All the participants agree that Ibragim Todashev was murdered with even a “control shot” fired at the back of his head.

What is most interesting is that even though the 2nd Chechen war is only 10 years away from us, Russians and Chechens are really now standing side by side against a common enemy.  The main organizer of this event, Maksim Shevchenko, is a very well known Russian Orthodox activist, a person very well known for his anti-liberal (i.e. anti-Western) views.  He is also one of the most pro-Muslim Russian activists in Russia who is even often accused of being a “hidden Muslim” himself for his pro-Muslim views.  This is, of course, utter nonsense.  Shevchenko is 100% Orthodox in his religious views, but that does not prevent him from strongly believing that traditional Islam is a natural ally of Russia in its struggle to main its national identity.

What is currently happening in Russia is this: Russian Orthodox Christians and Chechen Muslims are joining forces against the forces which have tried so hard to  oppose them against each other.

Seeing Russians and Chechens patriots standing side by side me a great deal of consolation and hope.

The Saker