In Istanbul, Circassian activists report on increased pressure on repatriates in Russia (+video)

The conflict between Russia and Turkey has resulted in the increased pressure on repatriates in the republics of Northern Caucasus. This opinion was voiced by members of the Circassian Diaspora, who gathered for the protest action in front of the building of the Russian General Consulate in Istanbul.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that businessman Adnan Khuade, a Circassian repatriate from Turkey, his daughter, and their female assistant were arrested for 15 days for a conflict with the FSB. Earlier, the Circassian activist has been already subjected to pressure by the law enforcement bodies. On December 19, members of Circassian public organizations of Turkey held a protest action in front of the Russian General Consulate in Istanbul in connection with the arrest of businessman Adnan Khuade, a Circassian repatriate from Turkey, and his daughter.

At the rally held on December 19, members of the Circassian Diaspora adopted a resolution and called on the Russian authorities to stop the pressure on repatriates and abandon the practice of using the Circassian people as a tool of geopolitics.

Following the results of the rally, the protestors disseminated the call "Kremlin, hands off innocent Circassian people!", in which the organizers and the participants of the rally stated that "Adnan Khuade was subjected to pressure by the Russian law enforcement bodies." The protestors associated the pressure on the businessman with his active participation in the campaign with the demand to recognize the genocide of Circassians in the Russian Empire.

The authors of the resolution have described the actions of the authorities and the law enforcement bodies of Russia as unfair and illegal.

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