An Adygea circassian activist, Ibragim Nagoev, received an 11-year prison sentence for terrorism-related offenses. The sentencing occurred following his involvement with the Council of United Circassia and the organization of an unauthorized memorial event. The Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don delivered the verdict on Monday.
Nagoev was convicted for participating in a designated terrorist organization, the Council of United Circassia, which Russia classified as such in 2024. He acknowledged his responsibility and expressed regret for his actions. Prosecutors alleged that between January and October 2025, Nagoev managed a Telegram channel disseminating provocative content to a wide audience.
Furthermore, he is accused of promoting a public gathering on May 21, 2025, commemorating the 161st anniversary of the end of Russia’s conquest of the North Caucasus and the Circassian Genocide, without prior notification to authorities. He was also implicated in attending the event in Maykop. Circassians globally observe May 21st as remembrance day for the Circassian Genocide, perpetrated by the Russian Empire during the 19th century.
This resulted in the mass displacement of the circassian people from the North Caucasus to the Ottoman Empire, leaving a population of less than 50,000 in their ancestral lands. Russian authorities dispute the recognition of this genocide. The Council of United Circassia, based in Turkey, seeks international acknowledgment of the genocide and the establishment of an independent circassian state.
Authorities consider the council part of a banned “anti-Russian separatist movement.” The activist, from Adygea, is a key figure in this ongoing situation.
Topics: #circassian #activist #adygea
Ibragim Nagoev, a Circassian advocate from Adygea, was given an eleven-year prison term for accusations of terrorism. This judgment resulted from his association with the Council of United Circassia a