According to Circassian activists, Syrian Circassian Nurdin (Najmuddin) Karaf may have been forcibly conscripted into the Russian army and died after being tortured in a mobilization camp. His family was previously informed of his death, but his body was allegedly not returned to them. The International Circassian Committee announced this on August 11.

The organization cites sources familiar with the circumstances of Karaf's disappearance. According to this version, Karaf was sent to a mobilization camp after refusing to go to war against Ukraine. There, according to the Committee's sources, he was subjected to brutal torture, resulting in his death from his injuries.

Karaf's relatives requested the release of his body but were refused. The family fears that even if the remains are eventually released, their condition will prevent the true cause of death from being determined.

The story gained publicity after Nurdin's father, Khalid Karaf, began searching for his son on his own. According to OC Media, during the search, the man received numerous threatening phone calls. He was allegedly told that continuing his work defending Circassian rights could put his son's life at risk.

Later, Khalid Karaf, along with his wife and daughter, were summoned to the FSB headquarters in Nalchik. There, security officials reportedly threatened him with forced conscription and dispatch to fight in Ukraine. Khalid then recorded a video message in which he claimed his son had voluntarily served in the Russian army under contract. Circassian activists familiar with the case believe this statement may have been made under duress and therefore do not consider it confirmation of Karaf's contract service.

However, the committee cites a different version, received from sources close to the Russian intelligence services. According to the statement, Karaf was not a contract soldier, as his father later claimed, but was forcibly conscripted and scheduled to be sent to fight in Ukraine.

The International Circassian Committee also draws attention to a photograph circulating on social media: it allegedly depicts Karaf in a Russian military uniform holding a weapon. Activists speculate that the image may have been created using artificial intelligence.

The statement provides no independent confirmation of the torture allegations or the circumstances of Karaf's death. It is also unclear where his body is located or whether an official investigation into the cause of death has been conducted.