Turkish Circassians demand from Russia to stop persecuting Gvashev

More than a hundred people gathered in Istanbul, demanding from Russian authorities to cancel the decision of the Sochi court and stop persecuting the Circassian activist Ruslan Gvashev.

The authorities banned the action near the building of the Russian General Consulate, referring to the state of emergency that is in force in Turkey.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that from September 11, the 67-year-old Ruslan Gvashev, the former head of the Council of Elders of Circassian Shapsugs, is on a hunger strike against the court's decision to fine him for his praying at the Tulip Tree.

The Istanbul action was organized by the “Cherkesfed”, the Federation of Circassian Organizations, and was attended by members of all Caucasian Diasporas. Kemal Eidoan, one of the protesters, has noted that they "protest against violations of ethnic minorities’ rights in Russia."

The main goal of the action is to draw attention to the situation with persecuted Gvashev, said Nusret Bash, the “Cherkesfed” President.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.