Story By: Feza Uzay, Sub-Editor: Joe Golder, Agency:  Newsflash

A woman who had her three children taken away by a Russian court because she has pink hair and tattoos and does not wear a hijab has regained custody following an appeal.

Earlier this month, a court in the Russian republic of Dagestan awarded custody of the three children to their father, citing the woman’s appearance as the reason.

However, following an appeal, the Supreme Court of Dagestan, a Muslim-majority region, has upheld Nina Tseretilova’s appeal and the children will now be returned to their mother.

The 33-year-old mother thanked the court via video link and called the decision a “triumph of justice”.

Nina had not seen her two sons, 14 and 8, and daughter, 11, since their father took them away following the court order in December last year.

In 2012, when she was pregnant with her third child, Nina left her husband, Magomed, taking her two older children with her after he allegedly beat her.

She immediately filed for alimony. However, the couple’s divorce was only finalised four years later, after which Magomed left for the Russian capital Moscow and started a new family.

According to Nina, during the years that followed, Magomed did not visit his children or support them financially.

By last year, Nina believes she was owed some RUB 800,000 (GBP 7,866) by Magomed, none of which she ever received.

When Magomed returned to Dagestan early last year after spending some nine years out of his children’s lives, he abducted the youngsters while their mother was away from home.

After law enforcement intervened, the children were returned to their mother five days later. However, Magomed then started repeatedly taking the children from their school.

Nina believes he wanted to take them to his cramped apartment in Moscow to live with his current pregnant wife, her two children, and their child in common to avoid paying alimony.

Concerned by her ex-husband’s actions, Nina went to court last summer to legally determine the minors’ place of residence. However, she was shocked when the judge decided to grant custody to the children’s father.

A court document obtained by local media said: “From the photographs and videos presented, it follows that N. Sh. Tseretilova leads a lifestyle that does not correspond to the behavioural norms and rules of a mother with many children. Tattoos with inscriptions are depicted on her body.”

The judge in the Muslim-majority region also cited her dyed hair, piercings, and uncovered hair as contributing factors in the verdict.

Nina subsequently filed the appeal, claiming that she does not lead an “immoral” lifestyle and that her appearance choices are all within the law.

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