The “Barristers” Law Firm has signed a memorandum of cooperation with the civil society organizations “Caucasus Union” and “International Institute for Caucasus Studies” with the aim of providing legal support to members of the Caucasian diaspora in Ukraine.

According to a statement from the firm, the signing of the document was a response to the challenges faced by people of Caucasian origin, who have been fighting against Russian aggression over the past decades. As noted by Yuriy Radzievsky, a partner at “Barristers,” the firm’s attorneys specialize in criminal defense, particularly in cases involving politically motivated persecution.

“From 2014 to 2022, there have already been cases in Ukraine of the detention and extradition of fighters of Caucasian origin at the request of the Russian Federation. We will not allow such practices to be repeated,” he emphasized at a press conference at the Interfax-Ukraine news agency on Thursday.

Another partner at Barristers LLP, Oleksiy Shevchuk, stated that support for the peoples of the Caucasus is part of a broader struggle for freedom. “A Free Caucasus is an alliance of independence fighters who, side by side with Ukrainians, are defending the right to be free. We publicly declare our support for this struggle,” he said.

Jabrail Mirzoev, chairman of the “Caucasus Union” public organization, emphasized the importance of legal assistance, particularly in the context of repression and political persecution. “This team of lawyers will help save the lives of many activists,” he said.

In turn, Konstantin Saliy, head of the NGO “International Institute for Caucasus Studies,” highlighted the role of an independent academic platform that will allow Caucasian researchers to work freely and publish accurate materials. He also noted the importance of protecting scholars and activists from accusations of “extremism” by the Russian Federation: “In Ukraine, you can prove your case with the help of lawyers who know how to defend you.”

Participants in the initiative believe that the signed memorandum will be an important milestone in the effort to protect the rights of representatives of the Caucasian peoples amid Russia’s ongoing aggression.