Commentators called on Abkhaz authorities to punish the schoolgirl's kidnapper.
The man who kidnapped a schoolgirl for marriage in Abkhazia should be held accountable under the law, social media users have stated. They believe the incident itself should draw attention to both the safety of children in schools and the inadmissibility of the revival of old customs.
As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," a resident of Sukhumi picked up a 13-year-old schoolgirl from classes in the village of Jgarda and brought her home, telling the girl's relatives that he intended to marry her. The girl was returned to her father with the participation of law enforcement.
Commentators demanded that the schoolgirl's kidnapper be held accountable.
Discussion of the news about an adult man's attempt to marry a 13-year-old schoolgirl has sparked a heated response from Facebook users*. In the comments on the "Caucasian Knot" page, users are discussing the moral side of the incident, possible legal liability, and issues of minor safety.
"Thank God, the girl was returned to her parents safe and sound, and the grown man should have known that he would be held accountable under the law," wrote Babutsa Ladaria.
"A kidnapping is a kidnapping, and there should be corresponding legal liability," noted Oleg Drago.
"I hope he goes to jail," expressed hope Maya Barkas.
Some users are expressing concern for the safety of children and the need to prevent similar incidents.
"A normal person wouldn't have done this, I hope the child is okay," shared her opinion. Nana Shinatashvili.
"How did this man come up with the idea of marrying a 13-year-old? Such people need to be isolated from society," said Madina Valieva.
Some commentators are discussing the legal implications of the incident and asking about penalties.
"Can anyone answer the question of why the man wasn't jailed?" asked Sabina Tania.
"Such things should be taken very seriously," emphasized Inga Gabisonia.
Some users compare the situation to past traditions, noting the differences between historical customs and modern legislation.
"Abductions did indeed happen in the past, but that doesn't mean they are acceptable today," she reminded. Lyuda Chitanava.
"Times have changed, and attitudes toward such things should be different," Raisa Gumarovna noted.
Early marriages are practiced in some communities in the South Caucasus, particularly in Azerbaijan: for example, in October 2025, it was reported that security forces disrupted the weddings of adult men and underage girls in the villages of Meiman and Baku. The practice of early marriage also exists in Georgia, and is particularly noticeable in areas populated by ethnic Azerbaijanis. In both Azerbaijan and Georgia, the law only allows marriage from the age of 18, but in the past, early marriages were tolerated by religion, laws, and customs, but due to women's struggle for their rights, they have become condemned, according to the article "Early Marriages in Georgia: Tradition or Bad Habit?, prepared by the "Caucasian Knot".
Some of the discussion participants believe it is important to publicly condemn such actions.
"Society must clearly show that such actions are unacceptable," said Rita Roys R.
"It is important that such cases receive publicity," noted Ilona Grigoryan.
Some users speculate about the psychological causes of such actions.
"Such actions require the attention of specialists and law enforcement agencies," noted As Man.
The main thing is that the child is safe and received support
The comments also discuss the girl's condition and the possible consequences of the incident for her.
"The main thing is that the child is safe and receives support," emphasized Babutsa Ladaria.
"I hope the girl is well and can calmly continue her studies," wrote ნანა ვაჭარაძე.
Some users note that similar crimes occur in different countries and are not associated with a specific nationality or culture.
"Such people can exist in any country; it doesn't depend on the nation," stated Fatima Kudzieva.
"Such "Crimes happen all over the world," added Ilona Grigoryan.
Some of the comments concern the role of social media in discussing such cases.
"Social media helps draw attention to important issues," noted Elif Argun.
"Sometimes it is public discussion that helps achieve justice," expressed the opinion of Janna AD.
Users also touch on the topic of adults' responsibility for the safety of minors.
"Parents and schools should pay more attention to children's safety," emphasized Svetlana Kaverina.
"It is important to explain to children how to behave in such situations," pointed out Spartak Nigyriani.
The discussion raises the issue of early identification of potentially dangerous situations. Some users believe it is important to pay attention to warning signs in adults' behavior toward minors. There are also opinions on the need to inform children about how to seek help and their rights.
Some discussion participants write about the importance of cooperation between families, educational institutions, and government agencies in resolving such issues.
The comments also include statements about the need to comply with the law.
"The law should be the same for everyone," emphasized Maxim Hämäläinen.
"If there is a crime, there must be a punishment," stated Albert Alborov.
"The most important thing is to protect the child and prevent similar incidents from happening again," emphasized Babutsa Ladaria.
"Such situations should be grounds for serious consideration," noted Oleg Drago.
In the comments to this story, users primarily discuss the incident itself, the possible consequences for the girl, and the man's responsibility. Many write that such cases are alarming and require a response from law enforcement agencies, and also note the importance of adults being attentive to the safety of adolescents.
During the discussion, some users draw parallels with the social situation in the region, including mentioning Georgia and Abkhazia. The comments note that such stories often spark debates about traditions, laws, and social norms. While users express varying opinions, the discussion largely boils down to an assessment of the incident itself and its possible consequences.
Translated automatically via Google translate from https://www.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/420566