18 September 2020, 08:21
Nalchik resident cuts himself to achieve reaction to Lebedev's insult of Circassians
The insulting statements of blogger, Artemy Lebedev, about the Circassians should not go unpunished, said Aslan Dokhov, a resident of Nalchik, who publicly inflicted wounds on himself in protest against the insufficient, in his opinion, reaction of the authorities to Lebedev's words.
The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that in July, 2020, Artemy Lebedev on his YouTube channel criticized Sochi officials, who, in his opinion, "followed activists' lead" and dismantled the memorial sign "Monument to the Feat of Russian Soldiers" in the city of Adler. In their turn, Circassian activists launched an electronic petition demanding to deprive Lebedev of the medal "For Merits to Fatherland", which he received from Vladimir Putin in late August.
A memorial sign was set up in Adler in the place of a fort built by Russian troops in 1837 during the Caucasian War. Historians and Circassian activists have criticized the installation of the sign, pointing out that the mentioning of terrible events of the Caucasian War is painful for the Circassian people and splits the society.
Aslan Dokhov, a 48-year-old resident of Nalchik, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that he was deeply offended by Lebedev's words. "For two months everything was boiling in my chest. I was waiting for a reaction from republic's authorities; I visited the page of the head of Kabardino-Balkaria. Alas, no reaction followed," Aslan Dokhov has complained.
After watching another Lebedev's video to the same topic, Dokhov, according to his story, decided to hold a protest action; and on September 12, by standing in front of the Triumphal Arch at the entrance to Nalchik from Pyatigorsk.
In the video circulated in social networks, a man with a naked torso, raises his left hand and stabs himself.
Dokhov has stressed that he did not regret about his protest action. The wounds he inflicted on himself were shallow and had already healed. The activist has added that the action was addressed more to the Circassians themselves than to Artemy Lebedev. Thus, Dokhov wanted to say that one cannot remain silent in response to insults addressed to his ancestors.
This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on September 17, 2020 at 06:21 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.
Author: Lyudmila Maratova Source: CK correspondent
