Turkish national deported from Kabardino-Balkaria allowed to come back

The Office of Visas and Registrations of the Republic of Kabardino-Balkaria in pursuance of a decision of the Nalchik City Court has today issued a visa for entry to the Russian Federation to Hajji Bayram Bolat, a Turkish national and an ethnic Adygh, who was forcibly deported from the republic a year ago by officers of law enforcement agencies. His alleged violation of the passport regime (he spent one rainy night at his friend's on a neighboring street) served as the formal reason for his deportation. Human rights advocates of Kabardino-Balkaria have been seeking to restore justice with regard to the deported Hajji Bayram for an entire year. His lawyer, Iskhak Kuchukov, made every effort. Even Lev Ponomariov, leader of the Russian nationwide movement For Human Rights, interfered in the situation.

Valerii Khatazhukov, chairman of the regional office of the movement For Human Rights, commented on the matter: "The return of Hajji Bayram is a precedent that is of great importance in issues connected with repatriation. Besides, this gives hope one can have positive results in human rights activities, although this requires a lot of effort."

Himself, Hajji Bayram said in a telephone conversation with Caucasian Knot's correspondent that he was very glad that he had the opportunity to come back and that he felt no offense on the part of his historic homeland because he understood that only some individuals are to blame for what had happened to him.