Grozny residents complain about nagging from law enforcers at New Year's event

In the centre of Grozny, the atmosphere of suspicion was felt during the New Year's festivities because of intensified inspections, residents of Grozny reported.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on the eve of the New Year holidays, the law enforcement bodies enhanced security measures in Grozny and checked passport regime on December 25. Furthermore, residents of Grozny reported large-scale police raids on city roads.

In the capital of Chechnya, the New Year's event was held under heavy control from the law enforcement bodies. To enter a square in the centre of Grozny, where the main New Year's tree was installed, people had to undergo personal searches, and reinforced police squads were on duty near the square, local residents have told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent today.

"We with our friends went to see the New Year's tree in the centre of [Grozny]. To enter the square, people had to go through metal detectors. Besides, the police conducted personal searches. Cigarettes and drinks were forbidden to be brought to the square. Men and women were searched separately, and policewomen were also on duty there," said local resident Shamil.

The city centre was filled with people, said Said, a resident Grozny. "My friend and I were stopped at the entrance, and one of the policemen suddenly asked us if we had drunk alcoholic beverages. But after checking us, they still allowed us to go closer to the New Year's tree," said Said.

The young man also noted that he did not see such security measures in other regions. "Last year, on the New Year's Eve, I visited Pyatigorsk together with my friends. Everything was much simpler and calmer there than at our place. Of course, there were checks, but there was no nagging and suspicious atmosphere like we had," said the resident of Grozny.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on January 1, 2019 at 11:05 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.