Smelaya, being victim of domestic violence, explains her decision to travel to Chechnya

During her trip to Chechnya, Krasnodar resident Maria Smelaya wants to get confirmation that her son does not live at the address where her former husband registered the child. The woman needs the information about the child’s place of registration to provide it to court to get a decision on guardianship.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that in Krasnodar, a court postponed a hearing in the case on guardianship over the Maria Smelaya’s child for 2.5 months. During this time, the woman intends to meet her son in Grozny. Earlier, law enforcers released a native of Chechnya, Maria Smelaya’s former husband, after arresting him; and no child accompanied him.

Maria Smelaya claims that although her son has been registered in Chechnya, he does not stay there now. “He is somewhere in the Krasnodar Territory. A judge ruled that a request should be sent to the guardianship authorities in Grozny ... so that they can verify whether the child is actually living at a temporary residence permit or not. The child is 100% not there, I am sure,” Maria Smelaya’s explained.

The woman pointed out that her former husband’s actions are limiting her communication with the child.

Maria Smelaya has succeeded to get the support of Chechen Ombudsperson Mansur Soltaev, who agreed to receive her and check all the facts regarding her child.

At the same time, the woman understands that the trip to Chechnya includes some risks for her.

“God knows what might happen. My former husband can even kill me,” Maria Smelaya noted.

Katerina Neroznikova, a coordinator of the “Marem” movement, has suggested that if some top-ranking official is helping Maria Smelaya, then her plan may work.

The human rights defender notes that sometimes fathers try to resolve issues in Chechen courts because they believe that they will receive support there.

“However, there was a case when a former husband of Nina Tseretilova took their children to Chechnya in a hope that the Chechen justice system would support him. But it was in Chechnya where the children were ultimately handed over to their mother. That is, the court’s decision was executed,” Katerina Neroznikova emphasized.