Local sources have reported that a group of Chechen women organized a protest in response to the upcoming deportation of Chechen asylum seeker Salman Mamaev to Russia.

According to the information, on Friday October 19, about 30 Chechen women and their children gathered in the city of Bregenz, Austria to protest the upcoming deportation of Chechen asylum seeker Salman (Danial) Mamaev, to demand his release and to express their solidarity with Salman’s pregnant wife, Makka Mamaeva. The peaceful demonstration started at 10:00am and continued until 4:00pm. The protesting Chechen women held posters that said “Stop the Deportation” and “Deportation Means Death”.

Salman’s wife, Makka was also at the protest with their 10-month old son, even though she is in poor health.

Recall that Salman Mamev was a former participant in the Chechen National Liberation Movement against Russian military invaders in his homeland. Mamaev’s brother, nephew and uncle were killed by the Russian army. Six of his friends were taken hostage by the Russian army and were sentenced to between 15 and 18 years in prison each. Since 2005, Mamaev has lived in Austria. In 2010, he married a Chechen woman who has refugee status in Austria. His deportation is scheduled for Monday October 22.

*Text was written by Waynakh Online and edited by Michael Capobianco