Social media users argue about actuality of fight against witchcraft in Chechnya

The detention of a witch in Chechnya and the report shown by the "Grozny" ChGTRK (Chechen State TV and Radio Company), where she was criticized by a doctor from the Centre for Islamic Medicine, was treated by some social networks commentators as a return to Middle Ages. Their opponents have supported the persecution of sorcerers in the republic.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that in September, Chechen police detained a local resident, Sekinat Ibragimova, accusing her of rendering magical services. The detainee, who, according to law enforcers has been practicing this since 2013, has repented of her deeds on the air of the "Grozny" ChGTRK.

In the TV report, Adam Elzhurkaev, the Chief Physician of the Chechen Centre for Islamic Medicine, has called the detained woman "an slave of Iblis" (an evil spirit, according to the legend, expelled by Prophet Muhammad). "For the sake of money, you've sold your body and soul to shaitan, Iblis, and became his slave and helper," he stated on air of the TV channel.

The detention of the sorceress has triggered disputes among social network users.

In the group of the edition named "Kavkaz.Realii" on the Facebook, many commentators supported Ibragimova's detention. "I express gratitude to Ramzan Kadyrov for defending his people from all the enemies, open and hidden," wrote Gektor Chechenskiy.

However, opposing opinions were expressed: "Middle Ages ... Who and under what circumstances, interestingly, established that a woman is a sorceress?" the user named Veta Naron has objected.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on September 14, 2019 at 11:20 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.