Turkey: Circassians hold actions on Remembrance and Sorrow Day

Circassian activists have held five actions in Istanbul, Ankara, Antalya and Khatai Province. Given the country's quarantine regime, Turkish authorities and organizers themselves limited the number of participants; and in some cities policemen obstructed activists.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on the initiative of Circassian activists from the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic (KBR), social network users have honoured the victims of the Caucasian War with a flash mob by posting their photos on the Facebook and Instagram depicting them with their left hands raised.

In Antalya, on May 21, about 40 activists came to a rally on the occasion of the 156th anniversary of the end of the Caucasian War and the expulsion of Circassians from their historical homeland, said Khatko Shamis, an activist. The rally was organized by the "Adyge Khase" of Antalya.

"The event culmination was to be the laying of a mourning wreath with the inscription 'The Russian Federation must recognize the Circassian genocide' to the Russian Consulate, but the police wouldn't let activists to the building," Mr Shamis has stated.

Two more actions took place in Istanbul. One of them, organized by the "Circassian Movement", took place in the Kartal district, at the monument to victims of the Russian-Caucasian War.

Another action, organized by the "Cherkessfed" was not finished, as the police prevented a march and passage with a funeral wreath to the building of the Russian Consulate General.

Let us remind you that in Southern Russia, activists had to cancel all the mass events dedicated to the Remembrance and Sorrow Day for those killed in the Caucasian War, including charity ones, because of coronavirus.