Commemorations in Europe show fears of Chechen Diaspora

On February 23, actions in memory of victims of the Chechens' and Ingushes' deportation in 1944 were held in major European cities. Natives of Chechnya are afraid to participate in public events even in emigration, feeling a threat from the republic's authorities, activists have noted.

On February 23, a commemoration rally of the victims of Vainakhs' deportation, which was conducted 76 years ago, was held in Nazran. A similar action in Dagestan gathered about 10,000 Akkin Chechens. Residents of Chechnya commemorated deportation victims with prayers and distribution of alms.

The rally in Paris, organized by the Comité Tchétchénie (Chechen Committee), gathered about 40 people, mainly members of the Chechen Diaspora.

"This is the day of paying tribute to the men, women, children and elderly people, innocently murdered during the eviction. This is the apogee of everything that we suffered over centuries of neighbourhood with Russia," said Adam Dervishev, a blogger.

Zalina, who moved to France in 2007, has stated that many natives from Chechnya in Europe are oppositional to republic's authorities, but refrain from protesting openly, fearing revenge.

Daniel Mikailovich, a member of the "Chechen Committee", told the "Caucasian Knot" that recently it has become more difficult for Chechens to obtain asylum in France.

"The 2015 terror acts and the war in Syria have played their role," he said.