Chechen Community in Georgia Celebrated Independence Day

(Tbilisi, September 6, 2002, Civil Georgia) – Today Chechen community in Georgia held the protest rally in front of the Russian embassy to Georgia to celebrate the independence day of Chechen Republic of Ichkeria.

Tens of protesters demanded from Russia to stop the genocide of Chechens, withdrawal of Federal Troops from Chechnya and to begin peace talks. 

Khizri Aldamov, representative of the rebel President of Chechnya Aslan Maskhadov organized the protest rally in front of the Russian embassy.  He stated that this kind of actions is held by Chechen community in deferent cities of Europe as well.

The first President of Chechnya Jokhar Dudaev declared independence of Chechen Republic of Ichkeria 11 years ago. Georgia, led by ex-President Zviad Gamsakhurdia was the first and only country, which recognized Chechnya’s independence. Current authorities of Georgia consider the issue of Chechnya as an internal affair of the Russian Federation.

According to the latest registration up to 4000 refugees from Chechnya live in Georgia at the moment, most of them in Pankisi gorge.

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