Kazakhstan has finally banned forced marriages and bride kidnappings through a law that came into effect on Tuesday in a fresh bid to protect women's rights.
Bride kidnappings have been outlawed in the Central Asian nation where the practice - which sees a woman being abducted and coerced into marriage against her will - is commonplace.
Kazakh police said in a statement that forcing someone to marry is now punishable by up to 10 years in prison, adding that 'these changes are aimed at preventing forced marriages and protecting vulnerable categories of citizens, especially women and adolescents.'
'Previously, a person who voluntarily released a kidnapped person could expect to be released from criminal liability. Now this possibility has been eliminated', the statement added.
The tradition inspired a famous scene in Sacha Baron Cohen's 2006 comedy, 'Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan', in which the main character kidnaps his long-time crush Pamela Anderson during a meet and greet, with the intention of marrying her.
