Some 4 thousand Meskhetian Turks received Russian citizenship

Some 4 thousand Meskhetian Turks in Krasnodar Territory have become citizens of Russia, reported Russian Deputy Interior Minister Colonel-General Aleksandr Chekalin. As of 1 January 2004, over 15 thousand Meskhetian Turks are registered in Krasnodar Territory, almost 4 thousand of them have received Russian citizenship; 2.8 thousand people have submitted their applications, which are being considered by interior agencies.