In Kabardino-Balkaria, Adam Medaliev's car set on fire, activist reports

Tonight, a car of activist Adam Medaliev, beaten on November 7, has been burned down, reports activist Ibragim Yaganov. Rights defender Valery Khatazhukov associates the attack on Adam Medaliev with his public activities.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on November 7, three men in masks beat Adam Medaliev in the territory of his land plot in the village of Nartan. Activist Ibragim Yaganov associated the incident with the public activities of Adam Medaliev, engaged in defending the land rights of Nartan residents in court.

Tonight, unidentified people have burned an Adam Medaliev's Ford car parked near the house. "The car was doused with gasoline and burned," the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was informed by Ibragim Yaganov, a friend of Adam Medaliev. The activist has added that the car had been severely damaged by fire.

The attack on Adam Medaliev is related to his public activities and his position on the land issue, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent has been told by Valery Khatazhukov, the head of the Kabardino-Balkarian Human Rights Centre.

Valery Khatazhukov has noted that the essence of the land problem in the republic is in the fact that "most part of the best arable land appeared to be controlled by a small group of people affiliated with the authorities." "They grabbed the land with a stranglehold, since all the subsidies that come to the republic through the Ministry of Agriculture fall into their hands," states Valery Khatazhukov.

The head of the Kabardino-Balkarian Human Rights Centre has noted that "the incident which has happened to Adam Medaliev is no exception." "Similar facts have already taken place, including attacks on village activists," said the rights defender. He has added that "in no case, anyone was punished for the attacks."

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on November 8, 2018 at 10:34 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.