10:12, 2 February 2015

Grozny resident reports detentions of locals with beards by law enforcers

Two young men wearing beards were detained in Grozny by agents of unidentified power services; they were beaten up; and their beards were shaved off by force, their acquaintance has reported.

According to his version, the incident occurred on Friday, January 27.

"The guys were taken to some station, where they were abused and beaten up, blaming for being "shaitans" (devils) and Wahhabis. Then, their beards were shaved off by a blunt shaving device; and they were released with a warning that if they once again try to grow beards and shave off their moustaches, they will be treated still worse," a resident of Grozny, who preferred to remain anonymous, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

According to his story, the young guys did not turn to police on the incident.

Earlier, "Caucasian Knot" reported that in December 2014, following the attack of militants on the Chechen capital on December 4, there were at least two cases in Chechnya when power agents detained young men with beards and shaved off moustaches, which is treated in the region as the main signs that a person is a Wahhabi.

Source: CK correspondent