Circassian organizations outraged at Russian Ambassador to Turkey's statements about Circassians

Alexei Erkhov, the Russian Ambassador, has distorted history and insulted the Circassian nation, the Federation of Caucasian Associations of Turkey (Kafkas Dernekleri Federasyonu – KAFFED) and the Federation of Circassian Associations have stated in response to Ambassador's words about Circassians' criminal way of life and their peaceful resettlement from Northern Caucasus to Turkey as a result of the Caucasian War.

In his interview to the "Sputnik" Agency, Erkhov has distorted history and insulted Circassian people with his statements, says the KAFFED's website, emphasizing that "Circassians are a civilized nation, for thousands of years living in North-West Caucasus, being an example of observing their traditions and knowing diplomacy quite well." Circassians are not immigrants who, as Erkhov put it, left their lands by obeying the proposals of Tsarist Russia. Circassians, who fought in a century-long war, were expelled from their homeland," says the statement.

"We are craving no revenge for the past. In the 21st century, we want Russian authorities, which dominated the fate of our nation, to respect our right to continued existence," the Federation of Circassian Associations has emphasized in its statement.

The Ambassador's remarks "fail to reflect historical facts," the Turkish Democratic Party has stated.