Rights defenders assess level of public attention to Liya Zaurbekova's case

The case of Liya Zaurbekova, an ethnic Chechen, who ran away from her relatives, has attracted attention of quite a lot of concerned people, human rights defenders have noted. Some came to the police station; others expressed their opinions on social networks, they have added.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Liya Zaurbekova, who fled from her relatives, has left the country and is in a safe place, her advocate reported on May 17. In his turn, Adam Delimkhanov, a State Duma MP, has stated that in Zaurbekova's case, he acted on direct instructions of Ramzan Kadyrov; and the one who had misled the girl "will be duly punished to the fullest extent of the law." Zaurbekova asked not to look for her and stated that she feared forced return. She had to run away from her family because of physical and psychological violence she was exposed in her family, human rights defenders have emphasized. Mansur Soltaev, the Chechen Ombudsperson, has stated that he does not believe in any violence used against girls in Chechen families.

According to Katerina Neroznikova, the coordinator of the "Marem" group, the girl's escape was associated with "physical and psychological violence, total control and freedom restriction."

As noted by Alexandra Miroshnikova, the press secretary of the SK SOS Crisis Group*, the reasons for Zaurbekova's escape are standard – domestic violence from her relatives.

Saida Sirazhudinova, the president of the Centre for Studying Contemporary Global Issues and Regional Problems "Caucasus. World. Development", treats Ionov's statements as an attempt to drive Liya's pursuers away from her, as well as from everyone who could help her. Ms Sirazhudinova has noted a significant surge in attention to the case in public opinion.

*Included by the Russian Ministry of Justice (MoJ) into the register of foreign agents.