Kazakhstan: Chechen Woman Detained, Then Released

Russian human rights activist Svetlana Anokhina reported that police detained Chechen resident Elza Soltaeva in Dossor village, Atyrau region.

She posted a video recorded by the young woman on Instagram.

On February 3, I ran away from home of my own will due to misunderstanding and domestic violence. We are now in Kazakhstan, police in Dossor village detained us, took our documents and won't return them, the young woman says in the video.

The Department of Police of Atyrau region confirmed the detention to Orda.kz.

A native of the Chechen Republic of RF born in 2000 was brought to the Makat district police department, where circumstances are being investigated,the message says.

The young woman also said relatives she fled from are already on their way to get her, and now she fears for her life. 

I know relatives are coming for me, they'll be here soon. And I'm afraid they will kill me, she says.

As Svetlana Anokhina writes, activist Vladislav Khorev, who helped her cross the border, was detained along with Elza Soltaeva.

Russian journalist Evgenia Baltatarova also emphasizes that they crossed the Russia-Kazakhstan border legally.

There are no grounds for deportation to Russia. She is listed as missing, the report was filed by her relatives after she fled. Her identity has been established, but they continue to hold her at the police station, Baltatarova wrote on her Facebook. 

She also reported that Elza Soltaeva wrote a request for asylum and sent it to the police chief.

Later, reports surfaced that the young woman had been released.

Ostrozhno, Novosti reported that Kazakhstan's Interior Department said Elza Soltaeva voluntarily left Dossor police station on February 5, heading to Aqtobe.

In a video, she stated no claims against police and denied any coercion. Her release followed advocacy by the "Marem" rights group and media coverage.

Activist Svetlana Anokhina told "Ostorozhno Novosti" Soltaeva faced pressure at the station. A lawyer helped secure her release after she provided a written statement confirming she left Chechnya voluntarily and wasn't pressured by activist Vladislav Khorev, who assisted her escape.

The detention of women who fled from Chechnya, Dagestan, and other North Caucasus republics after their relatives report them missing regularly occurs in Russia. 

Original Author: Igor Ulitin