Caucasian traditions of early marriages break Russian laws

Northern Caucasus preserves early marital relations; however, these traditions violate the laws of the Russian Federation, lawyers believe.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that a resident of the Cherek District of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic (KBR) was accused of having sexual intercourse with a minor, knowing that she was not 16 years old yet.

There is nothing contrary to Caucasian customs in the marriage of a 15-year-old girl to a 27-year-old man, says Mikhail Roschin, an Orientalist. He explained that under traditions of many nations, a girl could get married once reaching puberty.

According to his story, in the Caucasus, they extremely rarely "catch" such violations of the law, although there are many who enter into early marriages.

Northern Caucasus is preserving the traditional features of early marriages, Damir Mukhetdinov, an Islamic scholar, has noted.

"I have no reliable statistics, but the intention to marry before 18, and even 16 years of age, is more relevant for Northern Caucasus," he said, noting, at the same time, that the rules of Islam regarding marriage are not always equivalent to traditions.

Marrying girls under 16 is not unique in the Caucasus, said Abusupyan Gaitaev, a Chechen lawyer.