State Duma Deputy Drapeko stood up for Sokurov, criticized by Putin and Kadyrov

The statements of director Alexander Sokurov about the mono-nationality of a number of republics of the North Caucasus should not be dramatized. This was announced to RIA Novosti by the actress, the first deputy chairman of the State Duma Committee on Culture Elena Drapeko.

According to her, he has the right to an opinion that does not contain illegal propaganda or agitation. “I believe that there is no need to dramatize this situation,” said Drapeko, adding that the director has the right to such statements, if they do not turn into agitation or propaganda.

The deputy herself does not agree with Sokurov not only in this statement, but also in a number of others. But as a citizen of Russia, he is entitled to his opinion. She does not believe that Sokurov’s statement is inflammatory in nature. “Incitement and propaganda is a definite action directed. He didn’t incite the president, ”Drapeko said.

Sokurov, at a meeting between the President of the Russian Federation and the HRC, expressed the opinion that the republics of the North Caucasus currently have a pronounced “national character” and suggested that those who do not want to live with Russia be released. Russian President Vladimir Putin stopped him and suggested to be more careful in discussions about interethnic relations.

The head of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, said that the director’s statements about federalism in Russia should be given a legal assessment of “an anti-state and extremist fact.”