Residents of Chechnya treat anti-alcohol campaign as ineffective

In Chechnya, restrictions on the sale of alcoholic drinks forced a number of entrepreneurs to close their businesses, but did not prevent the illegal trade in alcoholic beverages, reported local residents.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that in the Grozny shopping centre "Minutka", the "Assorti" supermarket refused to sell alcoholic beverages due to the coming of the Muslim month of Rabi-al-Awal and as a sign of support for the anti-alcohol policy in Chechnya.

Despite the restrictions, it is "not a problem" to buy alcoholic drinks in Chechnya, said Rizvan, a resident of Grozny.

"A lot of people go to neighbouring Ingushetia, Dagestan, Ossetia, and the Stavropol Territory, and they can bring alcoholic drinks on request," added Alavdi, a resident of Chechnya. Besides, according to his version, alcoholic drinks are easy to buy from illegal traders.

In Chechnya, legal sales of alcoholic beverages declined after the introduction of the restrictions, said a seller of a wine and vodka store in Grozny. According to her story, the above decline can be explained not only by the imposed restrictions, but also by the people's desire to follow Islam.

Law enforcers continue to carry out anti-alcohol and anti-drug raids, reported Akhmad, a resident of Chechnya. According to his version, "anyone can fall under suspicion."

The regional authorities are not entitled to completely ban the sale of alcoholic beverages, declared an official from the Bar Association of Chechnya. However, the federal laws do not prohibit regions from imposing their local restrictions.

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