Mikhail Grishankov: “The problem of extremism is solved by strengthening state power”

November 23, 2004 on the portal "UralPolit.Ru" published the final part of the Internet conference of the Chairman of the State Duma Commission on Corruption Mikhail Grishankov ("United Russia"). In particular, one of the questions addressed the problem of the growth of extremist manifestations in Russia.

Correspondent Andrei Koretsky drew attention to the fact that the state practically equates the concepts of "terrorism" and "extremism", and pays great attention to its ethnic and religious components: "Why do law enforcement agencies, throwing all their efforts into preventing Islamic terrorism, do not pay any attention to NBP, RNU, skinheads, new Black Hundreds and supporters of the idea of ​​"Russia for the Russians"?" In addition, the correspondent expresses fear that the whipping up of anti-Islamic and anti-Caucasian hysteria is "good ground for the emergence of Black Hundreds-fascist terrorism . " Moreover, the state only supports ethno-nationalist sentiments.

It should be noted that M. Grishanskov left most of the truly voluminous issue unattended. However, even a fragment of his answer, in our opinion, is enough to make clear his views on the problem of ethnic intolerance in Russia.

He believes that "the state does not limit the problem of terror to ethnic or religious boundaries. Today, in the North Caucasus and in the Chechen Republic, we are confronted by international terrorism, and it is with him that we are fighting..."

In addition, he emphasized that "any other manifestations of extremist views cannot but cause concern in a state based on the rule of law. Personally, I am alarmed by the growth of extremist manifestations. At the same time, he considers unfair reproaches against law enforcement agencies that they do not manifestations: "There are specific court decisions, operational work is underway. Suffice it to recall the trials in St. Petersburg and Novosibirsk against persons who committed crimes on ethnic grounds (recall that the processes mentioned by the deputy are the result of crimes that have received such a wide public outcry that it would be extremely difficult to ignore the racial component of these cases - ed .) .

M. Grishankov believes that the problem of ethno-nationalism, extremism is solved not so much by force as by ... by strengthening state power: "A set of measures is required that would improve the situation in society, depriving extremism of the soil. And in this regard, I believe that the initiatives to strengthen the executive power, which the president is taking, just help to solve the problem of containing extremism. A strong, effective state guarantees the protection of democratic principles in society . "

The criticism of President Putin as the main representative of state power (and, accordingly, responsible for the growth of extremist manifestations in Russia), which was voiced in the question, was not accepted by the deputy, of course.

Sources

• Mikhail Grishankov: "Am I satisfied with the state of the fight against corruption? No!" // UralPolit.Ru. 2004. November 23.