January 2, 2011
The Caucasus News Agency Meets Haci Bayram Polat, the Returnee who was Deported from his Homeland — Part 2
“This issue is a severe blow to the Repatriation”
Part 2
“This issue has given a severe blow to the repatriation to homeland and has in all senses raised debates throughout Russia and the international forums. Return has proved undesirable. The Armenians live with the utmost comfort in the republics of Kabardino-Balkaria and Adygea, but we are moving away from our Motherland”
Interview conducted by: Fehim Tastekin
— What stage have you reached now in the struggle you are waging at the legal level?
When the court issued its ruling against me, I appealed to the Supreme Court of Kabardino-Balkaria, which approved the ruling of the local court and this decision became effective. Then we appealed to the Presidium (Supreme Court Central Committee). At the same time, we reported to the European Court of Human Rights. The Presidium suspended the execution of the decision and a judge named Ahmad Makoyev was appointed by the Supreme Committee to review the case file. It was to be reconsidered next month.
— What is the decision that you were expecting to be issued?
At 99% probability, we expected the decision to be in our favor. Even if this did not happen here, the Federal Supreme Court in Moscow would overturn this decision by all means, because an officer has replaced a judge and issued a verdict. There was no reason to lose the case.
— What is the decision that you have acquired from the European Court of Human Rights?
It was the first time in Russia’s history that a lawsuit was accepted within two days. We sent the petition on April 29 and was accepted on May second. I was informed from my last reply that my case would be discussed and I was asked to report immediately, if I was under any pressure. I am waiting for the Court to hear my case.
— Have you received support from the political circles in Kabardino-Balkaria, or the civil organizations there?
I have received support from the Moscow Bar Association and the International Bar Association. The Human rights organizations of Russia defended me and provided me with great support. This is in addition to the great support that I received from the Russian and Kabardian media. Some of the Illuminati and judges from the students of Kalmık Yura, the former Justice Minister in Russia have shown a genuine interest in my case.
The International Circassian Association and Adyghe Khasa did not provide me with any support, and I think they played a role in my expulsion.
— But both organizations have sent messages to the President of Kabardino-Balkaria expressing support for you?
This is true, but the reports that you have mentioned were sent in 2000 and were sent by former officials of the two organizations. There is a huge difference between former and current officials.
— Why do you think the two organizations have a role in your deportation?
During the International Circassian Association’s Conference in 2000, we objected very much to the current illegal seizure by the current administrations of the International Circassian Association and Adyghe Khasa. Meanwhile, the new president of the Adyghe Khasa, Mohammad Hafetseh, has threatened me at the time and said: “I will make them expel you from here.” Vis-a-vis this position taken by these two organizations, which should have supported me, and despite the indifference shown by all other Circassian bodies, the Russian Human Rights Association, “Lev Aleksandrovich Ponomaryov ,” and the media in Moscow issued a statement for me. I will never forget their appeals to the International organizations and the officials in Kabardino-Balkaria.
— And did the parties that supported you were exposed to pressure?
A colonel from the FSB named Bekeyev Taher, went to my attorney and asked him not to defend me, and said: “Even if you will defend him, defend him as required by the procedures.” When asked about the reason, Bekeyev Taher said: “This person funds the opposition in Kabardino-Balkaria, he is a NATO agent from Turkey.” My lawyer joked, “if he got money to that extent, I would have received something from that money, would have reached the judges, and would have bought the court without getting tired to this extent. If you have a document go ahead and show it to me, so I would say to Polat then, “I will not defend you.” Also, other Kabardian agents came to the Kabardian Member of Parliament Gumar Morzakanov, who supported me and asked him not to do so. The MP asked: “Is he a terrorist or a Wahhabist?” They replied, “No, but he is definitely an agent of another side as he does not work for us.”
— What is the significance of this case for those who wish to return to the Caucasus?
We have proven in this court that the duration of the residence permit should be extended to the same period as the national passport, as provided for in articles 191 – 197 of the laws of the Russian Federation. In this way we spoiled the random order they followed. The procedures were different then. During the Yeltsin period when Putin was not yet in power, both the administrations of the International Circassian Association and Adyghe Khasa (the former two administrations) had defended me. My lawsuit has shown that there are no serious steps taken for repatriation to homeland. I also had the following idea that the bodies and individuals who are interested in the repatriation issue are merely actors, they are obstructing this process and they are monitoring it on behalf of other people.
— Despite all what you said, I would like to ask you once more: Is it possible to consider what happens to you as a personal lawsuit?
The reason for their deportation to me this way is that it turns out that this case will end in favor of the Returnees. Certainly, this lawsuit did not appear because of personal troubles related to me. All intellectuals in Russia and in the Caucasus view it this way. Also, all the articles that appeared in the newspapers have indicated the same look at my case. All those who defended me, they did so considering that this lawsuit is not limited to me personally.
— How will this incident affect the repatriation process?
This issue has given a severe blow to the repatriation to homeland and has in all senses raised debates throughout Russia and the international forums. Return to homeland has proven undesirable. The Armenians live with the utmost comfort in the republics of Kabardino-Balkaria and Adygea, but we are moving away from our Motherland
— What message would you like to say to the Caucasian Diaspora in Turkey and other countries?
I advise the Returnees to the Caucasus to defend their rights by selecting a legitimate method and in accordance with the laws and the Federal Constitution. As for those in Diaspora, in fact, I do not want to frustrate one’s spirits, but I tell them to go to the Caucasus while they are aware of the real situation and know what they will face there.
— What do you want to say after being expelled from your Motherland? What is the impact that the Caucasus has left in yourself?
I will never forget during my entire life Kalmık Yura and Boris Akabashev who protected me in Nalchik and who ensured me in front of everybody there.
Also, I will not forget the beautiful moments and days that I spent with: Author Zaur Naluyev, the former Vice-President of the former People’s Congress Gantimir Gopatchikov, President of the Parliament of the Dagestan Confederation of Caucasus Ali Aliyev, the President of the Abkhaz Writers Union Gennady Alamia, the former President of the Confederation of Mountain Peoples Yousef Saslambekov, the Former Abkhaz General Staff Sultan Sosnaliyev, former Head of Adyghe Khasa Valery Hatojeqwa, Attorney Ishaq Kuchukov, Historian Valery Sakurov, and the former Head of the Caucasian Confederation Yuri Shanipov.
— Thank you for sharing with us the events that you have experienced.
I would like also to thank the Caucasus News Agency. I would also like to thank the Circassian Returnees from Turkey who I knew that they had gone to Nalchik Airport when they heard that I had been kidnapped and I would be deported.
(Caucasus News Agency)
http://www.kafkas.org.tr/arabic/Ajans/2003/Agustos/18.08.2003_bolat_reportaj_2.htm
Translated by: Adel Bashqawi
