Commenting on the Iranian protests, Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov says the U.S. is ‘hypocritically selective’ about supporting free expression

Writing on the social network Telegram, Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov has accused U.S. government officials of hypocrisy, comparing his ban on Facebook and Instagram to Washington’s response to ongoing protests in Iran.

Kadyrov is specifically calling attention to Donald Trump’s calls on Tehran to unblock Instagram and Telegram in Iran. Kadyrov says the U.S. recognizes the freedom of expression only selectively, arguing that Facebook “clearly has no freedom of action” and “is an instrument in the hands of the U.S. authorities.”

Kadyrov said relatively little about the Iranian protests, stating merely that Russia, as a neighbor state, is interested in “peace and stability.”