News

Azerbaijan and Armenia, verdict to Oleg Orlov, persecution of pacifists and activists in Southern Russia, knife attack on a school in France, and official data on the natives of Southern Russia who perished in Ukraine, – see the review of these and other events in the Caucasus during the week of October 9-15, 2023, prepared by the “Caucasian Knot”.

The Russian Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has included Vitaly Votanovsky*, an activist from Krasnodar, and Anvar Kurmanakaev*, a Nogai activist, into the register of foreign agents; according to the MoJ, the disseminated information aimed at creating a negative image of Russia.

Ali Bataev, a native of Chechnya, was denied protection in Switzerland, whose authorities, contrary to the advocate's arguments, have concluded that Bataev's deportation to his homeland is quite safe for him. The "Vayfond" human rights organization has treated the Swiss authorities' conclusion that the human rights situation in Chechnya has improved as unacceptable.

After the attack on a school in the city of Arras, about 60 people, including natives from Northern Caucasus, will be expelled from France, the French Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) has announced.

Igor Nagavkin, a rights defender from Volgograd, has sent complaints to investigating bodies, in which he stated that the management of the SIZO (pre-trial prison) had insulted his feelings as a believer by prohibiting the use of icons during prayers.

The Russian Ministry of Culture has refused to issue a distribution certificate for Alexander Sokurov's film "The Fairy Tale". The film director has stated that he is unaware of the reasons for the ban of his film and called this decision a new censorship stage.

The incident of throwing a pig's head at the monument to Akhmat Kadyrov in Moscow and the beating up of Nikita Zhuravel, a Volgograd resident, are links in one chain aimed at whipping up anti-Chechen sentiments in Russia. This is what Ruslan Kutaev, the President of the Assembly of Caucasian Nations, and Yuni Uspanov, an entrepreneur, believe.

Philip Kozlov, a street painter from Volgograd, known under the pseudonym of Philippenzo, has left Russia after searches and detention by law enforcers. He has explained his departure from Russia by the threat of imprisonment within a criminal case.

In Makhachkala and Kizlyar, the Jewish communities have cancelled a number of events because of threats from Palestinian militants. In Nalchik, the synagogue has not changed the schedule of its events, while the public Jewish cultural and educational organization “Sholom” in North Ossetia has enhanced security measures.

The prosecution has convinced the court to extend for six months the custody term at the Grozny SIZO (pre-trial prison) of Nikita Zhuravel, a Volgograd resident, accused within the case of burning down the Koran.

Policemen in the city of Arras, France, have detained a native of Chechnya suspected of attacking a school, which resulted in the death of a teacher and two people receiving stabbed wounds.

Ruslan Totrov, a journalist fined by a court in Vladikavkaz for his post placed in a social network, plans to appeal against the fine. According to his story, no fines will force him to express his opinions with more restraint.

Chechen native Sara Bibulatova managed to leave for abroad several days before a law enforcers’ visit to the shelter where she was staying. The native of Chechnya ran away from home because of family violence, a ban on studies, and the expulsion of jinn, reported the “SK SOS Crisis Group”*.

The condition of Abdul-Malik Albagachiev, a native of Ingushetia, is deteriorating as he does not receive the necessary medical treatment, which cannot be provided in the penal colony. This is stated in the forensic medical examination report, which the defence asked to include in the Abdul-Malik Albagachiev’s case.

The Muslims living in the republics of Northern Caucasus are mostly sympathizing with Palestine, but the issue of the conflict is not the main one in the society. The sending of peacemakers to the conflict zone offered by Ramzan Kadyrov is unlikely, since the decision should be made by Russian authorities, who have called on the parties to negotiate, scientists, activists and journalists from Ingushetia, Kabardino-Balkaria, Karachay-Cherkessia and Dagestan have stated.

At his meeting with Ramzan Kadyrov, Nikita Zhuravel announced his desire to convert to Islam, but the head of Chechnya has doubted his words, explaining that "the young man's eyes were looking somewhere in the wrong direction."

The Adler District Court has arrested Alexei Svirid, a Ukrainian citizen living in Adler, for 10 days for posting a video in a messenger with a link to a website about the activities of Jehovah's Witnesses* that was recognized as extremist.

Oleg Orlov has treated the verdict handed down to him in the case of discrediting the Russian Army as unjust, pointing out that it violates the Russian Constitution and legal norms. The verdict is politically motivated, the board of the "Memorial" Centre for Human Rights Defence has stated.

Ramzan Kadyrov has called on residents of Chechnya to test their sons by sending them to war. The leader of Chechnya has again criticized those who avoid participating in hostilities.

In Moscow, a court fined Oleg Orlov, the co-chair of the “Memorial” Centre for Defence of Human Rights, 150,000 roubles, recognizing his article as discrediting the Russian Armed Forces. That was reported by the Telegram channel of the “Memorial” Centre for Defence of Human Rights.