The leader of Russia’s Republic of Ingushetia Yunus-Bek Yevkurov does not support a bill that would make bride kidnapping a criminal offense. The bill, drafted by Ingushetia’s lawmakers, was introduced to the Russian parliament in late April this year.
“When a person wants to get married this way, making him a felon would cost us more,” Yevkurov was quoted as saying by Rossia24 TV channel Saturday.
“I don’t support [this bill]. Why? Because there is criminal liability for kidnappers in the Criminal Code already, be it a bride or a businessman.”
The legislative initiative was introduced to the Russian parliament by the speaker of Ingushetia’s parliament Zelimkhan Yevloyev on the heels of a recent incident in the republic. On April 8, five men broke into a village home and kidnapped a 19-year-old girl.
Earlier this year Yevkurov was urged to tackle the controversial tradition that often results in tragedy and sometimes death. “We must eradicate these actions, they’re against Islam and our traditions,” he was quoted by the Takie Dela news outlet as saying.
