Residents of Chechnya surprised at report on adoption of polygamy law

The Muftiate of Chechnya has refuted a report about a decree allegedly issued by the Chechen leader to create a commission to form a tolerant attitude to polygamy.

On July 11-12, in Chechnya, the information about the above with a supplement of the "decree" "On the improvement of demographic policy in Chechnya" was disseminated through WhatsApp. The report also included an alleged demand for officials to enter into second and third marriages. This was reported to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent by local residents.

Besides, an audio record was posted on the Internet, an author of which stated that in Chechnya, law enforcers were obliged to re-marry or otherwise they would face a punishment up to dismissal.

The Spiritual Administration of Muslims (SAM) for the Chechen Republic categorically denies the existence of such instructions.

According to an official from the Muftiate, the purpose of those reports is "to defame the leaders of the region." He has also added that there is only a commission in the republic engaged in activities to contribute to reunification of broken couples.

The information about the alleged decree is being widely discussed in Chechnya. So, women express their dissatisfaction with the alleged decree.

A leader of a local NGO has reported about recent "secret instructions" to officials from the regional authorities concerning new marriages.

"It should be admitted that there were secret instructions to officials to take the second and, if possible, more wives," noted the source.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.