The magazine "Vlast" checks the vigilance of the special services

On July 21, Vlast magazine published the results of a check by journalists of the vigilance of the capital's special services and security companies. The essence of the check was as follows: Olga Allenova, a reporter for the magazine with a "non-Russian" appearance (the article emphasized that in Chechnya she was mistaken for a Chechen), was dressed in a dark dress, tied a scarf, given a purse and a mobile phone in her hands, ordered to "behave inappropriately" and sent along the route that Zarema Muzhikhoyeva, accused of terrorism, had allegedly taken a few days earlier. Together with the correspondent, another editorial staff member was sent - "a bearded man in black" Afsati Dzhusoev. The result of the experiment was that not one of the police officers who were on the Moscow streets and in the subway paid any attention to the woman. The metro passengers did not pay attention to her either: “I read curiosity in the eyes of two or three women, but not one of them moved a single step away from me ...” Only in the Ginger restaurant, which O. Allenova, she was already informed at the exit that "she was looked after."

The conclusion that the journalist draws is disappointing: despite the terrorist attacks and the description of female suicide bombers disseminated by the media, Moscow does not pay attention to "non-standard" clothing and "inadequate" behavior, and Muscovites are not protected from new terrorist attacks.

The position of the author is not entirely clear: would it be better if Muscovites would hand over every woman in Islamic clothing and a bearded Caucasian in black to the police?

In our opinion, the "experiment" just showed that the anti-Caucasian and anti-Islamic hysteria could not be aroused among Muscovites - despite all the efforts of the media and the security forces. And it's great!

Sources

• Allenova Olga. There is a shahid in the city... // Kommersant-POWER. 2003. No. 28. July 21-27.