Mukhamed Cherkesov: issue of congress of Circassian people was raised long before Circassian activists’ detention

The issue of the need to convene the World Congress of Circassian People had been raised long before the detention of Circassian activists that happened on December 13. This was declared by Mukhamed Cherkesov, the chairman of the movement "Adyge Khase-Circassian Parliament" in Karachay-Cherkessia. Aslan Beshto, the former leader of the movement "Adyge Khase" in Abkhazia, believes that detentions are not the reason for convening an extraordinary congress.

On December 16, the media reported that Mukhamed Cherkesov, the leader of the movement "Adyge Khase-Circassian Parliament" in Karachay-Cherkessia, announced the need for convening a congress of the Circassian people and discussing the issues to re-establish the Circassian Autonomous Region in response to the detention of the activists.

This year, the International Circassian Association (ICA) made a decision to set up an initiative group to form the organizing committee of the congress. This was reported by Mukhamed Cherkesov. It is expected that the congress will be held next year and will be dedicated to the 150^th anniversary of the end of the Caucasian War.

The detention of Circassian activists is not the reason for convening the extraordinary congress of the Circassian people. This was stated by Aslan Beshto, ex-Chairman of the movement "Adyge Khase" in Abkhazia. However, he agreed to take part in the congress should the majority vote in favour of it.