Chechnya: Property Black Hole
Chechens finding out that property they once considered their own actually belongs to the state or someone else.
By Aminat Abumuslimova in Grozny (CRS No. 285, 05-May-05)
Malika Musayeva, a resident of the Chechen capital Grozny, bought a two-room apartment from Anna Kornienko, a neighbour who was leaving Chechnya.
Musayeva received an occupancy permit, but delayed acquisition of the title deeds, thinking she had all the time in the world.
Then in 1994 the Russian army invaded Chechnya and Musayeva fled the capital. When she eventually returned, she found Saihan Isayev living in her apartment. Isayev said it now belonged to her, producing title deeds issued to him by the district authorities.
The case went to court. There, Musayeva found out that her difficulties stemmed from the fact that her apartment was considered “abandoned” property without a legal owner.
It transpired Kornienko, the original owner, had, once she was outside Chechnya, successfully argued ...
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