Statements of Chechen Speaker show difference of Adats and laws

The demand of Magomed Daudov, Speaker of Chechen Parliament, to prosecute men for violating the quarantine by their relatives is against the laws, but is fully consistent with Adats (customary law of certain Muslim nations), analysts believe.

From the viewpoint of Chechen traditions, the demand for men to "monitor" women is justified, Mikhail Roschin, an Orientalist, believes. According to his version, in Chechnya, law enforcers prefer to act in accordance with Adats rather than administrative regulations, because "it is easier for them to deal with men than with women."

"A man is a major person and solves all the issues related to women," he said.

Traditionally, Chechen men are responsible for their women; and if a family has no father, then a son bears responsibility, said Ruslan Kutaev, President of the Assembly of Caucasian Nations. "It's customary that a woman should not be touched, and so on ... However, penalties for violating the quarantine apply to both men and women," he said.

"In case of applying a punishment to women, they may face problems. For example, if someone touches a woman, which is prohibited by Adats, then men from her family may later be made liable," Mr Kutaev has explained.