Tens of thousands of Chechens joined an official rally against the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo on January 19, denouncing its cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad. The protest was addressed by Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, who described the cartoons as "vulgar and immoral."
Chechens Protest Against Charlie Hebdo
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Crowds marched through the center of Grozny towards the Heart of Chechnya mosque, where prayers were held.
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Protestors shouted "Allahu Akbar" (God is great), while speakers attacked Western governments for allowing other news media to publish the Charlie Hebdo cartoons.
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The demonstration was called "Love For The Prophet Muhammad." It followed a similar protest in the neighbouring Russian republic of Ingushetia at the weekend.
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The banners read "We are against caricatures" and "We love the Prophet Muhammad."
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Members of the security forces keep watch from a nearby rooftop.
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Chechnya's pro-Putin leader Ramzan Kadyrov had called for mass participation, in the name of "unity and love for the Prophet."
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Grozny's Russian Orthodox Bishop also addressed the rally, condemning the cartoons. Russia has banned its media from reproducing the Charlie Hebdo cartoons.