Grozny celebrates Day of Chechen Woman under enhanced security measures

On September 21, Chechnya celebrated the Day of Chechen Woman. The holiday was introduced by the authorities in 2009. The festivities were held under enhanced security measures.

"This is the fifth time, when our republic celebrates the new national holiday the Day of Chechen Woman. On this occasion, the centre of Grozny hosted the festivities with dancing and music in the square in front of the fashion house 'Firdaws'. In the evening, there were a solemn event and a holiday concert featuring pop stars and creative collectives of the republic," the "Caucasian Knot" was told by an official from the Grozny administration.

Other major towns across the republic also held celebrations.

Residents of Grozny note that the festivities took place under enhanced security measures. Starting from the morning of September 21, neighbourhoods adjacent to the house "Firdaws" and the theatre and concert hall were cordoned off by police squads and soldiers. Movement of vehicles and pedestrians were blocked. Participants of celebrations were allowed to enter the festive territory only through metal detectors, and in some cases, women were to present the contents of their bags for inspection.

It should be noted that earlier, in the republic, the reports on kidnappings of young women in Muslim clothing have become more frequent. In particular, local residents reported on the kidnapping of a young woman in hijab committed by law enforcers near the secondary medical school in Grozny on September 17.