Authorities' report on reconciliation of blood feud parties causes scepticism in Chechnya

Members of the Gaisultanov family forgave a member of the Alkhazov family after he swore he had not been involved in the murder of their relative. Beslan Alkhazov, who was sentenced for the murder, still faces a blood feud, residents of Chechnya note.

Earlier, the "Grozny" TV Channel showed a story how two families from the Vedeno District, who had been in a state of blood feud for 25 years, were reconciled on the initiative of the Chechen authorities. Forced reconciliation could lead to a resumption of conflict, experts of the Caucasus note.

The TV story was posted on the YouTube channel of the "Grozny" ChGTRK (Chechen State TV and Radio Company). Two years ago, during a domestic conflict, Beslan Alkhazov killed Nur-Ali Gaisultanov from the village of Grebenskaya. The injured party considered Alkhazur Alkhazov, a Beslan's elder brother, to be involved in the murder, but agreed to forgive Alkhazur Alkhazov if he confirmed he had been not guilty by swearing on the Koran, authors of the TV story reported. Beslan Alkhazov is currently serving his sentence in a penal colony.

Forgiving a suspect does not mean that a blood feud party forgave the murderer, notes Adlan, a staff member of a public organization. "The affected party forgave only the suspect, but not the murderer himself, who is currently serving his sentence in prison. In any case, the problem will to be resolved in the future ... At our place, there were cases of killings committed 10-20 years after a blood feud conflict," Adlan said.

Living under a threat of blood feud is a "terrible and difficult experience," believes Leyla, a resident of Grozny.