Human rights activists called Mankieva's statement about domestic violence a priority.

The Ingush Investigative Committee reported on a criminal case based on a woman's complaint "about illegal actions by relatives." Aina Mankieva's complaint of sexualized domestic violence is a priority, as human rights activists noted that she would be in danger if she returns to the republic as part of the theft investigation, as was the case with Seda Suleimanova.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," security forces released Aina Mankieva, a native of Ingushetia who reported domestic violence, after she was held at a Moscow police station. However, she remains a suspect in the criminal case and is wanted. Aina Mankieva was detained by Moscow police on the night of January 15 and spent more than half a day in custody. In addition to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, she was questioned by representatives of the Center for Combating Extremism. Manyeva wrote a statement alleging that she had been subjected to domestic violence, including sexual violence. She asked not to be handed over to her relatives and to be provided with state protection. She called her relatives' report of theft false.

In the spring of 2025, 20-year-old Aina Mankieva, reported missing by her family, released a video message asking people not to look for her or inform her relatives of her whereabouts. She stated that returning home "could threaten" her life, health, and safety. Human rights activists point out that the fugitives' claims about the danger of returning home are well-founded.

After leaving a Moscow police station, Aina Mankieva recorded a video. "I want to say that I am safe and that I am okay," she stated. The girl thanked everyone who "worried, called, wrote," with a special mention to journalist Ksenia Sobchak, according to a video published on the Telegram channel "Bloody Lady."

Mankieva's statement about domestic violence does not cancel her criminal prosecution for theft, said Katerina Neroznikova, coordinator of the human rights group "Marem."

"Her statements do not cancel the fact that she is wanted. That is, formally, they must hand her over to Ingush investigators for questioning. And her statement will be considered separately - if at all. This is similar to how Seda Suleimanova was taken away - same article, same actions. The problem is that everyone understands what Aina's return home will mean for her. The police understand all the threats to her. But this whole system - accuse her of theft and initiate a search "The criminal case is structured in such a way that the girl can be legally returned home," she told a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Law enforcement agencies should first and foremost consider the case of sexualized violence, which is a priority, said Svetlana Gannushkina, chair of the Civic Assistance Committee*.

"And in general, about domestic violence and domestic abuse, because, apparently, the girl had reason to flee from her relatives. If she has reached adulthood, her relatives cannot dispose of her. They are no longer responsible for her, although, of course, there is moral responsibility, but a person is already an adult and has the right to decide for themselves. And cruel treatment and violence are especially unacceptable. Above all, it is the complaint about violence and state protection that should be considered first, and not their complaint about some 20 thousand," she told a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

In her opinion, if Even if the girl took 20,000 rubles with her, it can't be considered theft.

"Ultimately, she has a right to a share of the family property. If she contributed through work or household labor, she could have taken some of the household property, which could very well be considered hers. Can such a thing even be considered theft, or robbery?" "I don't think so," Gannushkina explained.

12:02 31.12.2025

Batal-haji and his followers

Batal-haji Belkhoroev is an Ingush sheikh, the founder of one of the Kadirite branches (virds), and a follower of Sheikh Kunta-haji. Members of Batal-haji's brotherhood—the Belkhoroevites or Batalhajinites—have great influence in modern Ingushetia. In December 2022, the Batalhajinites formed a rapid response unit in Chechnya. (BOBR) from among the natives of Ingushetia to participate in the military operation in Ukraine. On February 27, 2023, it became known that the militant wing of the Ingush Batalkhadzhin vird was included on the list of terrorist organizations.

As a reminder, Manyeva said that her family belongs to the Batalkhadzhin vird and expressed fears that the entire vird would search for her. "The vird practices strict control over children, early marriage for girls (from 13 years old), and rarely allows girls to complete education even up to the ninth grade," Marem quoted her as saying on January 15.

The problem of domestic violence in Dagestan, Ingushetia, and Chechnya affects women of all ages, but it is primarily young women under 30 who try to escape it, human rights activists from the Ad Rem team noted in their report. The problem of evacuating victims of domestic violence violence is most severe in these regions, as authorities and security forces side with domestic abusers. In June 2023, the BBC released a documentary, "When I Ran Away," about girls from the North Caucasus who managed to escape from family control. For victims of domestic violence, escape often becomes the only chance to save their lives, human rights activists emphasized.

* listed as a foreign agent.

** Meta (owner of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp) is banned in Russia.