ALMATY -- Police in Almaty rescued an 18-year-old woman after a group kidnapped her with the intention of forcing her into marriage, 365info.kz reported Tuesday (August 14), quoting the Kazakh Interior Ministry (MVD).
The group forced their way into her residence and abducted her, said the MVD, adding that the kidnappers injured a male relative of the victim.
Police arrested the main suspect and are continuing their investigation.
Bride kidnapping is an acknowledged problem in some parts of Central Asia. The murder of a medical student in late May in Chui Province, Kyrgyzstan, allegedly by a man who tried to kidnap her for marriage, sparked protests and widespread condemnation.