21:37, 26 August 2023

MoJ recognizes Circassian activist Martin Kochesoko* as foreign agent

Martin Kochesoko*. Photo from Martin Kochesoko's page on Facebook www.facebook.com/martin.kochesoko *included in the register of foreign agents

The head of the “Khabze” public organization, Martin Kochesoko*, who now lives abroad, has been put on the register of foreign agents, the Russian Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has announced, explaining its decision by the fact that the activist had called for the violation of the territorial integrity of Russia and distributed foreign agents’ materials.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on March 2, 2021, the Urvan District Court found Martin Kochesoko* guilty of illegal acquisition, possession and transportation of narcotic drugs and sentenced him to three years of suspended imprisonment with a probation period of one year. Human rights defenders noted that the charge fell apart, and the court was fulfilling a political order and did not dare to acquit Martin.

Martin Kochesoko*, the head of the “Khabze” public organization and a co-chairman of the Democratic Congress of Russian Nations, was detained on June 7, 2019. Immediately after his detention, he pleaded guilty to possessing drugs, but later retracted his testimony, stating that he had been pressured. He insists that the drugs had been planted on him.

Earlier, Kase Kik, a Circassian activist, said that with the arrival of Martin Kochesoko* in Turkey, the activeness of Circassian communities in this country has intensified. He has noted that increased pressure on activists in Russia with the start of the special military operation (SMO) in Ukraine has led to their outflow from the country, but their emigration has contributed to the intensification of their activities, since the bulk of Circassians live in the Diaspora.

Martin Kochesoko* has been engaged in social activities since 2006; he was a member of the "Circassian Congress".

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on August 25, 2023 at 10:16 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.

Source: Caucasian Knot