Balkars stop hunger strike in Essentuki and continue in Moscow

Tonight, the group of Balkars, which were holding their hunger strike at the building of the representative office of the NCFD (North-Caucasian Federal District) in the city of Essentuki for 25 days, stopped their action and returned to Nalchik.

As reported by telephone by Tamara Gerieva, head of the group, the hunger strike was stopped under insistence of Ismail Sabanchiev, chairman of the Board of Elders of the Balkar People (BEBP).

The BEBP leaders have addressed their letter to Alexander Khloponin, Plenipotentiary of Russian President in the NCFD, expressing discontent with his position. "For 4 months you failed to react to two dozens of written applications sent to you by Balkar NGOs. We now sincerely regret that we have spent months awaiting to meet you. We'll not disturb you henceforth," runs the letter of the BEBP.

The letter notes that a hunger strike will be more efficient when held "near the EU representative office and foreign embassies in Moscow."

Another group of Balkars will continue their hunger strike in Moscow, but, as Ms Gerieva explained, probably, they would replace some protesters in this group.