Chechen Activist Detained in Almaty Appeals for Support

Mansur Movlaev, a 29-year-old Chechen opposition activist, has issued an open letter addressed to the Chechen people and the people of Kazakhstan, asking for support to prevent his extradition, Orda.kz reports.

Movlaev, who has publicly opposed Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, was detained in Almaty due to being on an international wanted list. According to his legal team, he faced repeated threats and persecution in Chechnya, including multiple detentions and a conviction on what they describe as fabricated charges.

After serving his sentence, Movlaev fled Russia. A court hearing is expected soon to determine his pre-trial detention. His open appeal was shared on Facebook by his lawyer, Murat Adam.

I understand that Chechens who are in their homeland cannot openly support me, as they too may face problems because of this. Only those Chechens who live outside the CIS can publicly support me. I ask you not to remain silent and do everything possible to help,
 Movlaev wrote on May 20.

He also directed a separate message to the people of Kazakhstan:

In the difficult days for my people, you did not stand aside, extended a helping hand, saved my Chechen people from death in 1944, we remember this and are grateful to you. Today, after so many years, I – a descendant of the very people that you saved then, am forced to ask you for help and support. In 1944, you saved my people from death, and today you can help save my life. I ask you to support me in every possible way! This is informational support in the form of a flash mob or any other. I really would not want Kazakhstan, which saved my ancestors yesterday, to become an accomplice to my killing today. 

His lawyers emphasize they will continue to fight efforts to extradite Movlaev to Russia, where he is listed on the federal wanted list on extremism-related charges.

Original Author: Oksana Matvienko