In Kabardino-Balkaria, public and political organizations concerned about situation in republic

Fourteen NGOs and political parties of the republic issued a joint statement expressing their concern about the local socio-political situation.

"Over the past few months, residents of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic (KBR) have witnessed a whole series of terror acts and resonant murders - from the explosion at the Baksan Hydroelectric Power Plant (HPP) to the murders of Anas Pshihachev, Chairman of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the KBR, and Aslan Tsipinov, a prominent scientist. There are rumours about the existence of some "black list", compiled by religious extremists, according to which well-known figures of the republic are liquidated physically," runs the statement.

In the opinion of the authors of the document, "the murders of prominent intellectuals and churchmen are evidences of a heavy disease that has struck a part of our society." "The problem is not just criminogenic, but has an ideological background," the authors write.

The spread of pernicious ideas, according to the authors, is promoted by "deficiencies of the civil society and passivity of the population."

In the opinion of the signatories, the situation is aggravated by the fact that today the law enforcement bodies are unable to ensure either the public or even their own safety.

"In this regard, our particular concern is caused by the order of the Minister of Internal Affairs of the KBR to close militia support points in dwelling settlements," the document says.

The document stresses that the situation cannot be changed by force methods only; and "the integrated approach is required with involvement of public institutions and coverage broad layers of the population and, above all, the youth."

"We are sure that the most efficient counteractions to the spread of religious extremism are the preservation of the ethnic and cultural identity, national customs and traditions of the nations of the KBR," runs the statement.

The public organizations of the KBR call "all the healthy forces of the republic to unite their efforts and promptly develop effective measures towards rehabilitation of the socio-political situation in Kabardino-Balkaria." According to their version, "only joint active efforts of the government power and civil society may bring positive results in counteracting our common misfortune."

The statement was signed by the Coordination Board of the Adyg public organizations, the Union of Abkhazian Volunteers, the regional branch in the KBR of the political party "Pravoe Delo" (Proper Cause), the "Adyge Khasse" and others.