Today, Medet Unlu, the Honorary Consul of Chechen Republic Ichkeria in Turkey, published a statement that “temporary residence permits” for Chechen asylum seekers in Turkey will be grant for one year.

“The Republic of Turkey has granted the temporary residence permits for our asylum seeker brothers from Chechen Republic of Ichkeria. The head of Department for Foreigners of Directorate General of Security of the Republic of Turkey’s Interior Ministry has completed the legal procedure and as a result Chechen asylum seekers will get the residence permit for one year. According to Turkish authorities, they will renew the temporary residence permits in every year” said Medet Unlu in his statement.

He said that Chechen asylum seekers may apply to the Foreigners Branch of Istanbul Police Headquarters for receiving their temporary residence permits as of 12th April 2010. Mr Unlu points out that Chechen asylum seekers must be keep in touch with officers of Caucasus-Chechen Solidarity and Culture Association for systematizing the applications.

Medet Unlu terminated his statement with compliments. “I present my gratitudes to Turkish authorities for their sensibility on this issue in the name of Chechen nation and myself,” he said.