Local sources have reported that demonstrations were organized in Georgia and Finland in memory of Aslan Maskhadov, 3rd President of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria.

On March 8, at about 12:00, roughly 30 Chechens and Georgians gathered on the Bridge of Liberty and Peace ( მშვიდობის ხიდი) in the capital city of Tbilisi, Georgia. The protesters held Chechen Republic of Ichkeria flags, photos of Maskhadov and banners with information about the assassination of Aslan Maskhadov. The protesters asked Russia to give Maskhadov’s body back to his family. After the protest, attendees went to a mosque in old Tbilisi where they prayed for the soul of Maskhadov with more than 200 people.

On the same day in Finland, a group of activists gathered in front of the Russian Embassy in Helsinki in the afternoon. The protesters held Chechen Republic of Ichkeria flags, photos of Aslan Maskhadov and other Chechen leaders, as well as banners condemning Russia’s assassination of Maskhadov and their cruel practice of seizing bodies. The activists asked for Maskhadov’s body back.

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