Resident of Chechnya detained on suspicion of bride abduction

On January 5, in the Sunzha District of Chechnya, the police detained a young man, who had abducted a girl with the aim to marry her, the local MIA reports.

"Yesterday, a resident of the Sunzha District abduction a young girl with the aim to marry her against her will. The failed groom was arrested and placed in custody. For this crime he faces a threat of up to ten years in prison," said a source from local law enforcement bodies.

Let us remind you that in October 2010, the Chechen authorities announced a ban on the practice of bride abduction, which exists in the republic. The republic's leader Ramzan Kadyrov said that the practice of bride abduction is contrary not only to the norms of Islam, but also to the traditions and customs of the Chechens, and that this practice "must be eradicated from our society."

However, some local observers believe that a complete eradication of the custom of bride abduction is hardly possible.

"In Chechnya, the bride abduction has long been considered a manifestation of a daring young man, and not a reprehensible act. Moreover, in many cases, the girl herself acts as initiator of her "abduction". "Some do it because their parents are against their marriage with their lovers, others – because of lack of specific financial resources for getting ready to marriage (buying new things and decorations), still others – by virtue of some other reasons," said Aslan, an activist of a local NGO.

According to his story, "each such case should be treated individually; and decisions should be made with account of all the circumstances; not to just catch a man and drag him to jail."