08:57, 25 December 2018

Law enforcers start guarding the New Year Tree in Grozny

A Christmas tree decoration. Photo by Nina Tumanova for the "Caucasian Knot"

On the eve of the New Year holidays, law enforcers in the capital of Chechnya have switched to the round-the-clock service. Townspeople report that access to the New Year Tree, set up in central Grozny is possible only after a personal search.

In December 2017, the Chechen security bodies explained the increased safety measures before the New Year holidays by information about some upcoming terror acts. Nevertheless, according to the republic's authorities, more than 12,000 tourists visited Chechnya on the New Year.

On December 31, 2010, in Grozny, an armed attack was made on the militaries, who patrolled the territory near the New Year Tree. Two of them suffered.

Let us note here that the New Year Tree has been installed in the square in front of the "Heart of Chechnya" Mosque for the first time in several years. In 2013-2017, it was installed in the park near the high-rise "Grozny-City" complex. Until 2013, the New Year Tree was installed in front of the "Heart of Chechnya" Mosque and the City Mayoralty. This caused discontent among many believers, who think that celebrating the New Year and administering religious rites in one place is unacceptable.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on December 24, 2018 at 11:48 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.

Source: CK correspondent