Users of the Chechen public demanded severe punishment for fortunetellers and sorcerers.
Fortunetellers and sorcerers must be publicly punished, preferably with long sentences, indicated part of the social media users, commenting on the video of the detention of fortunetellers in Chechnya. Those who provide occult services respond to the existing demand in society, pointed out others.
As reported by "Caucasian Knot", on July 20, a video report was published by the state channel "Grozny", in which the chief specialist of the Center for Islamic Medicine, Adam Elzhurkaev, publicly reprimanded a resident of Urus-Martan, detained by security forces for providing occult services. The report provoked a controversial reaction from social media users. Some commentators supported the persecution of sorcerers, while others considered the public condemnation of people on the air of the television company excessive.
The campaign to persecute people who declare themselves healers, psychics, magicians, and sorcerers has been ongoing in Chechnya for many years. It was initially announced by the head of the republic, Ramzan Kadyrov, in 2013, then the campaign subsided, but in 2019, the persecution of residents for occultism intensified again .
Social media reported the detention of fortunetellers in Chechnya
The Telegram channel "Tut Chechnya" published a message about the detention of fortunetellers.
Law enforcement agencies have suppressed the activities of individuals suspected of providing occult services. According to preliminary data, the detainees offered citizens services for conducting magical rituals, divination, removing "curses", love spells, as well as various rituals for monetary compensation, the message states.
"It was often used," says a voiceover, commenting on the condition of the book, many pages of which are torn or glued with tape.
Neither the detainees nor the men who are talking off-screen are shown in the video.
Commentators stated the need for harsh punishment
This same video in the Instagram*-public "CHP Chechnya" gained 753 comments by 20:00 Moscow time.
Commentators in Russian called for severe punishment for the detainees.
Why do you catch them and let them go? Put them in a separate prison.
"Life imprisonment... And detain the clients, and hold a confrontation with those on whom this is done. And photos of the kids, poor children... And this is not funny..." — writes asya.povar.
"And how many children's photographs there are, just terrible," — supported Madina2935.
"Why do you catch them and let them go? Put them in a separate prison, so they work all day long, tirelessly, for life, this is direct murder and destruction of people!" — writes Deshi3904.
"You will let them go now, and they will continue everything again," — was outraged ramazanovazainat.
The clients are primarily to blame; if they did not go to them, their business would not thrive.
A number of users also called for physical punishment.
Some commentators indicated that those who use occult services should also be punished.
"Show those who go to them too," — suggested alia_lia_79.
"They are just as sinful," — agreed larisa_151184.
"So the clients are primarily to blame; if they did not go to them, their business would not thrive," — pointed out karinka22.22.
Witchcraft is prohibited in Islam, but lynching is unacceptable, imams stated, commenting on the murder of a resident of Ingushetia. Low education in Islam and anxiety in society have become factors that provoke aggression, emphasized a Caucasian studies expert and psychologist, commenting on the report of the murder of a resident of Ingushetia, who, according to the detainees, was engaged in casting curses. "Witchcraft in the Russian Federation is not a criminal act," - stated the lawyer.