Commentators debated the necessity of government assistance to Aminah Bikbova's family.
The authorities of the Orenburg region are not obliged to assist with the funeral of Aminah Bikbova's family, as she went to Abkhazia as a tourist, stated some social media users. Other commentators called for sending a Russian specialist to Abkhazia to ensure a quality investigation into the murder of the Orenburg woman.
As reported by "Caucasian Knot", the father of the murdered tourist from the Orenburg region, Aminah Bikbova, Ilgiz Bikbov, reported on October 9 that the authorities of Abkhazia helped the family with the transportation of the girl's body, while the authorities of the Orenburg region, according to him, provided no assistance.
On September 27, it became known that a resident of Abkhazia, Edgar Abukhba, was detained on suspicion of murdering the 26-year-old tourist from the Orenburg region, Aminah Bikbova, who had not been in contact with her relatives for three days. According to the investigation, Abukhba confessed to the murder of the girl. On September 29, the Gagra court arrested Abukhba. In July 2019, Abukhba had already committed a crime against a Russian tourist: he took her to an abandoned building in Sukhum, where he raped and beat her, and then stole her phone, money, and jewelry. In 2021, he was sentenced to nine years in prison, and in February 2024, he was released. After Abukhba's release, the Russian Foreign Ministry warned about the risks of traveling to Abkhazia.
Commentators demanded a fair investigation into the murder of Bikbova
The publication about Aminah Bikbova's case and her father's account of the lack of assistance from the authorities of the Orenburg region was posted on October 10 on the "Caucasian Knot" Facebook page*, which has about 164,000 followers. As of 3:00 PM Moscow time on October 12, the post had received 110 reactions and 54 comments.
Some users doubted that the authorities of the Orenburg region should have provided assistance to the family. "What assistance should the authorities of the Orenburg region provide? If she was able to go on vacation, it means she had money. I feel sorry for what happened to her, but unpleasant incidents happen around us. It is very dangerous to trust anyone these days, even knowing a person, something can happen. Girls, take care of yourselves," wrote Marina Zaharenko.
"Why should the authorities of the Orenburg region provide financial assistance for the funeral? Do they provide assistance for funerals to everyone? Why should the authorities make an exception for this family? This is the family's personal grief," noted Irina Besedina.
Other participants in the discussion focused not on financial assistance to the family, but on the need for additional measures for a thorough investigation of the case. One of them suggested involving a Russian specialist in the examination. "Let them conduct an independent psychiatric examination of Edgar Abukhba with the participation of a qualified Russian psychiatrist, issue a verdict on his mental health, and draw conclusions about how dangerous this individual is to society," wrote Zhanna Egorova-Zhanava.
User Galina Stepanova criticized the legal norms that prevent the previous crime of the accused from being counted as a repeat offense. "It would be good if he did the same to one of the children of those who come up with these laws – then maybe you would reconsider these laws. Are you joking, does one year count as two? And what he did at 17 years old doesn't count. He caused serious harm to the girl," she wrote.
The same publication was posted on October 10 on the "Caucasian Knot" Instagram page*, which has about 59,800 followers. As of 3:00 PM Moscow time on October 12, the post had received 87 likes and 35 comments.
Discussion participants also raised the question of whether the family should expect assistance from Russian authorities. "What assistance did the father expect from the Orenburg region? She didn't go there on a business trip or for work, she went on vacation <…>, I seriously doubt that the authorities consider this necessary," wrote vasilisaas_07.
"So the fact of the rape was covered up to reduce the sentence? How interesting the laws of Abkhazia work," noted kamilla_millard.
Other users doubted the ability of Abkhaz law enforcement and judicial authorities to ensure a fair investigation. "If in Abkhazia our degraded Ministry of Internal Affairs awards him the title of hero, I wouldn't be surprised," user zein000007 sarcastically remarked.
"And then he will be released and ruin another life," believes oks_maychadze.
The authorities of the Orenburg region stated on September 28 that they were ready to provide the necessary assistance to Aminah Bikbova's family, reported the publication "Orenburzhye". However, there is no information about the actual provision of the promised assistance on the internet resources of the Orenburg region administration. The authorities also did not issue public refutations of Ilgiz Bikbov's statement, who on October 9 told the correspondent of "Caucasian Knot" that the authorities of the Orenburg region did not assist his family.
Ilgiz Bikbov is known for his religious and social activities
The father of the deceased Aminah Bikbova, Ilgiz Bikbov, is the imam of the Orenburg mosque "Suleymania". In this capacity, he participated in events of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Orenburg region, including in the religious education of children. For example, in 2016, Bikbov was a member of the jury for a children's quiz dedicated to Ramadan, reported in August 2016 by the publication of the Spiritual Administration "Muslims of Orenburzhye".
Bikbov also participated in the work of the regional clergy outside Orenburg. In April 2017, he accompanied the chairman of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Orenburg region during a visit to a mosque in the village of Alabaytal in the Belyayevsky district, stated in another publication of the "Muslims of Orenburzhye".
In June 2015, the Central Spiritual Administration of Muslims (DUM) of the Russian Federation awarded Bikbov the "Al-Igtisam" medal ("Unity"), according to information on the DUM RF website. Specific merits of Bikbov that served as the basis for the award are not specified.
Bikbov was also a member of the council of the Orenburg regional branch of the all-Russian organization of veterans "Combat Brotherhood". In 2018, he was awarded a letter of gratitude from the chief federal inspector for the Orenburg region among the participants of the organization, marked for its 20th anniversary. The awards were given for social and political activities, strengthening combat camaraderie, and participation in the patriotic education of youth, reported on February 28, 2018, by the newspaper "Kontingent".
The publication did not provide details on what exactly Bikbov was awarded for, nor did it provide information about his service in law enforcement or participation in combat actions.