KBR activists treat investigators' reaction to defence of scientists as intimidation

The increased investigators' attention to the signatories to the appeal in defence of scientists is a continuation of pressure on the Kabardino-Balkarian Institute for Humanitarian Studies (known as KBIGI), Valery Khatazhukov, a human rights defender, has pointed out. Investigators have explained their interest by the appeal to protect the Institute, Zaur Zhemukhov and Marks Shakhmurzov, activists, have stated.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on November 22, the Kabardino-Balkarian Human Rights Centre called on Kazbek Kokov, the head of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic (KBR), to protect local activists, who a year ago came out in support of the KBIGI, demanding to defend it from law enforcers' pressure. The signatories to the appeal are now summoned to the Investigating Committee in Nalchik and demanded to give written explanations. Law enforcers explain their demand by stating that "some slander was spread on the Internet, but by whom and in whose relation, it is not clear," the above Human Rights Centre has stated.

Valery Khatazhukov has explained that within a year that passed after the above appeal to the KBR head regarding the circumstances of pressure on KBIGI scientists, there was no response to human rights defenders.

Mr Khatazhukov believes that the pressure on scientists has to do not with their scientific activities, but with their civic position on the issues of "preserving the Kabardians' cultural identity."

The intimidation of the signatories to the appeal in defence of the KBIGI is a continuation of the attack on the scientific institution and an attempt to close the authoritative institute; and in general this entire campaign is aimed at eliminating Russian republics and curtailing the federal structure of the country, Valery Khatazhukov has expressed his opinion as a human rights defender.

He has added that all the KBIGI employees continue working. According to his version, the story of persecuting the scientists and pressuring the Institute was widely publicized in the Caucasian and Circassian Diasporas of the world; and such persecution is not in the Russia's interests.