Rights defenders link Gireeva’s return with psychological breakdown

The decision of Leyla Gireeva to return to her family in Ingushetia was caused by the severe stress that the girl faced. Fear of the uncertainty in the future and longing for relatives used to encourage other fugitives to return home, human rights defenders have pointed out.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that in late 2022, the 18-year-old resident of Nazran, Leyla Gireeva, turned to police about regular violence from her parents and asked to protect her from her relatives. On February 1, it became known that Leyla returned to her family and wants to settle the family conflict.

In the opinion of Alexandra Miroshnikova, the press secretary for the SK SOS Crisis Group, Leyla’s decision to return home might be caused by the fact that she has despaired of solving the problem differently.

The stories of Caucasian girls who escape from home because of conflicts with relatives are unique; but the Gireeva's case should not be compared with others, such as the case of Khalimat Taramova. Human rights defenders are unaware if the head of the Gireev family used his influence to ensure his daughter’s return.

Leyla's decision was due to her psychological state, not every runaway dares to change her life dramatically, Aida Mirmaksumova, a co-founder of the "Fathers and Daughters" project, has noted.

“Some runaways start missing their usual life. She ran away because she felt bad, then she calmed down ... Relatives said that there would be no violence if she returned; she decided to try this option,” Ms Mirmaksumova has concluded.

Gireeva could have many reasons to return home; and her relatives could have many ways of putting pressure on her, said Saida Sirazhudinova, the president of the Centre for Studying Global Contemporary Issues and Regional Problems entitled "Caucasus. World. Development".

She has added that a quick departure from Russia increases the girls' chances of getting rid of their relatives’ influence.