The video of the abduction of a girl in Dagestan caused debates on social media.
The video about the alleged abduction of a girl in Kaspiysk sparked a discussion on social media. Opinions among users were divided: some placed the blame on the girl for being out on the street at night, while others criticized the bystanders who did not come to her aid.
As reported by "Caucasian Knot", in Dagestan, bride kidnappers have repeatedly tried to evade responsibility. On March 24, 2024, it became known that the Soviet District Court of Makhachkala terminated the criminal case against local resident Gadzhimurad Gadzhimuradov, accused of abducting an acquaintance. According to the investigation, he arrived at the cosmetics store where the girl worked and threatened her to leave with him. Later, law enforcement stopped the car and freed the abducted girl. Gadzhimuradov admitted his guilt and apologized to the victim. He faced up to five years in prison, but the court imposed a fine of five thousand rubles.
Abductions of brides in Dagestan have practically ceased, as both society and religious organizations condemn them, noted analysts previously interviewed by "Caucasian Knot". Journalist Milrad Fatullaev pointed out that not long ago, so-called "pseudo-abductions" were practiced, when families could not afford a lavish wedding as dictated by local unwritten rules. "Then, by mutual consent of both parties – the boy's relatives and the girl's relatives – to bypass the issue of the dowry, they organized a 'kidnapping' and a theatrical reconciliation. Now the problem of the dowry has faded into the past, although there are still some echoes, when, for example, one side buys an apartment for the newlyweds, and the other furnishes it with furniture. But this also meets with condemnation in society," he emphasized.
The video of the alleged abduction of a girl in Dagestan was published by the Instagram*-public kaspiysk.24. The caption to the video states that at night a man forcibly put the girl into a blue Lada Vesta, did not allow her to exit the vehicle, used force against her, and took her in an unknown direction.
This post in the Instagram*-public kaspiysk.24, which has about 85.6 thousand followers, had garnered 649 likes and 195 comments by 15:30 MSK on August 11.
Commentators called the man's actions abduction and emphasized that the time the girl was on the street does not justify violence. "No matter what time the girl is walking around the city, it is not a reason to forcibly put her in a car. This is abduction, punishable by law," wrote dragon.9811910.
"No one has the right to approach and forcibly take someone away. If this happens to you, just scream loudly and call for help," advised aika_ismailova_.
"No one has the right to infringe on someone else's life, no one," emphasized jamelia.sss.
Other users rejected attempts to place the blame for what happened on the girl. "And those heroes who write: 'You should have stayed home' – fear the Almighty. How do you know? Maybe the person works late," pointed out radjabova_naida.
"There are reasons why girls are forced to go out at any time of the day. For example, a toothache or a sick child. Who should she wake up at such a time? Her father from the other end of the city? A brother? Neighbors?" asked shkola_znaniy.
"Maybe she was coming from work, from the hospital. She wasn't necessarily out for a walk at night. In any case, she should not be beaten and forcibly put in a car. Many girls support their families now," noted irina.beslaneeva_.
At the same time, some commentators reproached the girl for being out on the street at night. "I am curious about one thing: what is she doing in the city at two o'clock in the morning?" wrote kandaew1985.
"She found what she wanted herself. There is no need to go to clubs and sit with strangers at two o'clock in the morning," stated khalilov.r97, suggesting that a taxi driver was behind the wheel of the car.
Other participants in the discussion criticized the video author and passing motorists for not attempting to help the girl. "Don't the drivers in passing cars see? The one who filmed should have at least shouted, scared them," wrote karimat_mama_fatimi.
"As usual: they film and remain silent. At least shout something, just to film," was outraged orhideadikaa06.
As of 15:30 MSK on August 11, there are no comments regarding the possible abduction of the girl on the website of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Dagestan.
"Caucasian Knot" also reported that the custom of bride kidnapping remains quite widespread in the Caucasus, especially in Chechnya, Dagestan, and Ingushetia. The main reason for abductions is not parental prohibitions on marriage, but economic difficulties: the relatives of the girl and the young man may agree on an abduction to save on wedding rituals. At the same time, a significant portion of abductions occur without the girls' consent, according to the "Caucasian Knot" report "Bride kidnapping – a crime or a tradition?".