Russian rights defenders are demanding a government response to a video posted online by Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov that shows a sniper targeting two well-known activists.
The video on Kadyrov's Instagram page shows the rifle scope aimed at former Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov, chairman of the opposition PARNAS party, and opposition activist Vladimir Kara-Murza as the two speak with each other.
The caption under the video says: "Kasyanov came to Strasbourg for money for the Russian opposition. Those who did not understand before will understand now."
Kasyanov said on February 1 that he considers the video a direct threat and plans to ask police to investigate the situation.
Lev Ponomaryov, chairman of the For Human Rights group in Moscow, said the authorities must "adequately" react to the situation.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters in Moscow that he had not seen the video but promised to study the issue.
"Frankly speaking, we don't normally follow Instagram, not to mention Kadyrov's Instagram page," Peskov said.
Last month Kadyrov publicly called opposition members "traitors" and "enemies of the people."
Those comments provoked calls for Kadyrov's resignation from Russian opposition politicians and activists.
