Balkars in Russia's North Caucasus region of Kabardino-Balkaria are marking the 80th anniversary of their mass deportation to Central Asia by Josef Stalin's government. The head of Kabardino-Balkaria, Kazbek Kokov, issued a statement expressing compassion for the relatives of the victims "of arbitrariness and lawlessness." About 38,000 Balkars were deported on March 8, 1944, to Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan by the Soviet regime, which accused them of collaborating with Nazi Germany. Those who survived were able to return to the North Caucasus in 1957. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Idel.Realities, click here.
Balkars In Russia's North Caucasus Mark 80th Anniversary Of Deportation To Central Asia
The head of Kabardino-Balkaria issued a statement expressing compassion for the relatives of the victims "of arbitrariness and lawlessness."