Valery Khatazhukov reports about detention of Ruslan Gvashev for prayer on Memorial Day of Adygs

The court will consider the administrative case against Ruslan Gvashev, the former chairman of the Council of Elders of Circassian Shapsugs, who on May 21 took part in a mourning service on the Memorial Day of Adygs and who has been detained today. This was reported by human rights defender Valery Khatazhukov.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Circassians celebrate May 21 as the Day of Remembrance and Sorrow for victims of the Caucasian war. This year, mourning events were held in Nalchik, Cherkessk, Maikop, and Istanbul.

According to Valery Khatazhukov, activist Aslan Gvashev reported that Ruslan Gvashev "was taken to court for pronouncement of a verdict for participating in the prayer service held at a Tulip tree in the village of Golovinka on May 21."

Valery Khatazhukov has noted that mourning events in the Sochi village of Golovinka are traditionally held on May 21. Adygs treat Tulip trees as sacred, Valery Khatazhukov reports. "According to our information, some other participants of the prayer service are also brought to administrative responsibility," the human rights defender wrote on his page in Facebook.

Let us remind you that Ruslan Gvashev actively fights for the recognition of Circassians as the indigenous people and their inclusion in the charter of the Krasnodar Territory. The activist was nominated for the "Caucasian Knot" contest "Hero of the Caucasus-2013".

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.