Stavropol Territory: bride abduction cases prove viability of this tradition

A court in Neftekumsk began hearing the case of two local residents accused of abducting a bride. This is at least the second such case in 10 months considered by Stavropol territorial courts. The custom of bride abduction is widespread in the Stavropol Territory, but most often occurs by the parties' mutual consent, the local Mufti and analysts believe.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported referring to investigators that on February 4, 2021, a 33-year-old local resident, abducted, with the help of his friend, a 26-year-old Neftekumsk woman in order to marry her. Law enforcers found her on the same day and took her home. According to their data, the woman was not going to marry the abductor.

Vasily Dmukhovsky, an advocate, believes that bride abductors follow their national customs; however, "the legislation should be taken into account, as there may be serious consequences."

In the region, most cases of bride abduction take place on their own free will and with no negative consequences, Mukhammad Rakhimov, the head of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims (SAM) of the Stavropol Territory, said, in his turn. According to his version, most often in the Stavropol Territory, bride abduction is staged by mutual consent.

According to Yuri Efimov, a conflictologist, usually bride abduction causes no conflicts, since in fact it is a tradition staging.