The city court in the capital of Karachay-Cherkessia has sentenced public figure Kase Kik in absentia to seven years in prison under the statute prohibiting the dissemination of false information about the Russian army. The activist, who is currently outside Russia, called the verdict politically motivated and stated that he has no intention of ceasing his civic activities.
The court concluded that in January 2025, Kase Kik posted a video on a social media platform containing information about the actions of the Russian military in Ukraine that was deemed knowingly false. In addition to the seven-year prison term, he was banned from administering online resources for three years.
Kase Kik left Russia in the summer of 2022. Shortly before that, he had been detained in Cherkessk following a dispute sparked by a request to play a Ukrainian song at a café. At the time, the activist claimed he was subjected to torture after his detention. However, the court found him guilty of petty hooliganism and sentenced him to seven days of administrative arrest.
Later, administrative proceedings were also initiated against Kik for discrediting the Russian army. However, in 2023, the court first returned the case files to the police due to procedural violations and subsequently dismissed the proceedings because the statute of limitations had expired. In July 2024, law enforcement officers searched the home of the activist's parents. Kik described the officers' actions as an attempt to pressure him.
Speaking to *Novy DOSH*, Kase Kik stated that he considers the criminal prosecution to be politically motivated.
"I consider this decision politically motivated. It is linked to my consistent criticism of Russia's war against Ukraine and my years of work defending the rights of the Circassian people," he said. According to the activist, he intends to continue drawing international attention to the Circassian issue, advocating for the return of Circassians to their historical homeland, and upholding his views solely through peaceful, political, and legal means.
"I have never committed acts of violence and have always openly expressed my convictions. Such court rulings will not change my views nor cause me to abandon my civic activities," Kik asserted.
He also expressed hope that international human rights organizations, democratic states, and independent media would continue to pay attention to such cases.
"History has repeatedly shown that politically motivated persecution cannot stop people who steadfastly defend their convictions. Therefore, I intend to continue my work despite any form of pressure, remaining committed to the principles of freedom of speech, human rights, and peaceful political activity," Kase Kik added.
