Three Circassian and Abaza organisations in the Russian Republic of Karachay–Cherkessia have appealed to President Vladimir Putin over what they say is a disproportionate allocation of power amongst the republic’s ethnic groups. [Read more…]
Dispute over history ignites ethnic clashes in Kabardino-Balkaria
Kabardian activists waving Circassian flags near Kyondelen (/YouTube)
Kabardian activists clashed with the residents of the Balkar village of Kyondelen on 18 September while trying to pass through to commemorate an 18th century battle. As of Friday, 120 people had been detained and 45 hospitalised in clashes between Kabardian and Balkar groups and police. Many experts believe that an old land dispute lies at the heart of the conflict.
Right of return? — The struggles of the Circassian diaspora to settle in Adygea
Mafekhabl (/wikimedia.org)
Today marks Adygea’s 20th annual celebration of the Day of the Repatriate, honouring the Circassians who returned to their ancestral land after more than 150 years in exile. Many in Adygea say there is little reason to celebrate, however, as few are able to settle in the republic.
Unemployment and outmigration keep Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachay–Cherkessia in stagnation
Small business in the streets of Nalchik (Aslan Urumov /OC Media)
While official statistics may say otherwise, many see unemployment in Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachay–Cherkessia as among the worst in Russia. Deindustrialisation, social alienation, and local corruption have all played a part in the region’s stagnation.
Russia’s war on Circassian national consciousness
A group heading for the prayer at the site of the 1779 battle near Psykhurey was stopped at a police cordon (/Kavkaz.Realii)
The Circassian national movement in the North Caucasus has for years been under pressure from the authorities. Facing detention, prosecution, or outright violence, Circassian activists, scholars, and young people all feel the pressure, but there is much disagreement as to why they are being targeted.
Krasnodar court upholds fine against Circassian activist Gvashev
Ruslan Gvashev (Facebook)
Krasnodar’s regional appellate court has upheld a fine against Ruslan Gvashev, a former Circassian leader, for performing a traditional Circassian prayer. [Read more…]
Circassian leader ends hunger strike
Rally in Krasnodar on 5 October (AdygPlus)
Ruslan Gvashev, a 67-year-old Circassian activist who was fined for performing a traditional Circassian prayer in public, has ended his hunger strike after 25 days. The appeal against his fine has been postponed.
Hunger striking Circassian leader suffers stroke
Ruslan Gvashev (Facebook)
A 67-year-old Circassian activist on hunger strike in Krasnodar Krai has suffered a stroke. Ruslan Gvashev has been protesting for 24 days after being fined for performing a public prayer at a sacred tulip tree in the village of Golovinka, near Sochi. [Read more…]
Rally in Sukhumi for hunger striking Circassian leader
Ruslan Gvashev holding an Abkhazian flag (David Dasaniya/ Facebook)
A rally in solidarity with a 67-year-old Circassian activist was held in Sukhumi (Sukhum) on 27 September. The former Shapsug leader has been on hunger strike in Krasnodar Krai for more than two weeks.
Kabardino-Balkaria’s code of silence
Press House in Nalchik, the bastion of Kabardino-Balkaria’s official media (Kazbek Tashev/OC Media)
The media in Kabardino-Balkaria parrots an extremely rosy picture of the republic. However, journalists and activists almost all admit privately — that with an eye towards the Kremlin (and Kadyrov’s growing army next door in Chechnya) — freedom of speech has been utterly decimated, and controversial topics go completely unreported.
