Mukhamed Cherkesov does not rule out convening Circassian congress to protest against detentions of Circassian activists

An extraordinary congress of the Circassian people can be convoked in response to detentions of Circassian activists in Kabardino-Balkaria, Karachay-Cherkessia and Adygea. This was reported by Mukhamed Cherkesov, Chairman of the Circassian (Adyg) public organization "Adyge Khase". Activist Ruslan Kambiev, who was detained earlier, reports on the support actions that took place in Turkey and the USA.

Let us remind you that on December 13, on behalf of the district department of the Investigating Committee of the Russian Federation (ICRF), law enforcers forcibly brought to Krasnodar about 10 Circassian activists and one Abazian activist from Kabardino-Balkaria, Karachay-Cherkessia, and Adygea. The detainees' houses and apartments were searched by staff members of the Centre for Combating Extremism (CCE).

According to Mukhamed Cherkesov, the activists' detentions are acts of intimidation prior to the Olympic Games in Sochi. Mukhamed Cherkesov believes the law enforcers suspect that Circassian activists had been preparing protests in Sochi, since they consider inappropriate to carry out sports activities on land where once their ancestors were massacred.

According to Mukhamed Cherkesov, in the near future, the issue on the restoration of the Circassian Autonomous Region and social and political situation in Karachay-Cherkessia should be discussed again.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the "Circassian issue" becomes acute in connection with preparations for the Sochi Olympic Games. The International Circassian Association has repeatedly claimed the need for inclusion of the Circassian element into the cultural programme of the Sochi Olympics.