Grozny residents report anti-alcohol raids by law enforcers

On the eve of New Year, in the capital of Chechnya, law enforcers visited houses of city residents and warned them of responsibility for drinking alcoholic beverages on the New Year's Eve, residents of Grozny reported.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on the eve of the New Year holidays, in Chechnya, the police introduced a round-the-clock regime of operation. In Grozny, law enforcers conduct night raids in yards of houses and detain people suspected of drinking alcoholic beverages, citizens reported on December 30.

The law enforcement bodies tightened their inspections on the eve of the New Year holidays, residents of Grozny told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent. "On December 30, a district police inspector accompanied by several armed law enforcers visited us. He asked if we would celebrate the New Year holiday and warned us to avoid having alcoholic drinks on our festive table, otherwise they could come, seize the drinks, and fine us. The policemen also visited our neighbours and people in the whole residential district. Actually, we don't celebrate the coming of New Year at all, since it is not our holiday. But, just to stay on the safe side, I said that we would take our children to the New Year tree. I thought what if people could be fined for not celebrating the New Year holiday?" said Zalina, a woman from Grozny.

Law enforcers warned residents of Grozny not to drink even beer on the New Year's holiday, confirmed Zaur, a resident of Grozny. "Otherwise, they warned us of facing problems. They say they will take drunk people away with them to a police station and keep them until the end of the holidays ... Such a 'merry' New Year holiday we have, as if a curfew has been announced," the man complained.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on January 2, 2020 at 12:58 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.