Aisha Khizreva, a 21-year-old Chechen, said they tried to kidnap her in Novosibirsk, where she traveled after escaping Chechnya, the projects reported. “Freedom (is not) far away” and “Mariam”.
Khizriyeva said in a video clip distributed on social media: “My name is Khizriyeva Aishat, born in 2004. I left Chechnya voluntarily, but on the way two cars full of Chechens arrested me. They claim that I stole four million rubles, that I am a crazy person and that my friends are taking me away and want to sell me into slavery. I ask you to spread this story and help me from the police and the media.” Mashrou’ Mariam channel on Telegram.
According to reports, Khizrieva flew to Novosibirsk, where she was received by friends. The Chechens surrounded their car at the gas station, introduced themselves as police officers and demanded Khizrieva get out of the car. She refused and contacted the police, human rights activists and journalists.
After that, he left Chechnya, and the young woman went with the police to the Ministry of Interior. The last time Khizriyeva called was from the police department, and she noted that “freedom (is) not around the corner.”
Khizreva fears that she may be forcibly returned to her father. She believes she could be in mortal danger in Chechnya.
Chechens often flee their families to escape domestic violence and persecution based on their gender identity. Often relatives track them down and bring them home. There are several known cases in which Chechen women who were later repatriated to their country were killed. One of the most prominent cases in recent years is the disappearance of 25-year-old Seda Suleimanova, who was allegedly killed after being forcibly returned to Chechnya. In October 2025, 23-year-old Aisha Baimuradova was murdered in Yerevan. Human rights activist Lydia Mikhalchenko said that Baimuradova’s killing is “a message to girls who run away.”