The killing of an activist in the Republic of Karachaevo-Cherkessia has again drawn attention to the fragility of interethnic stability in the Northern Caucasus. An individual shot 36 years-old Aslan Zhukov, a popular member of the Circassian youth organization Adyghe Khase.

The official account of the murder holds that Zhukov's death may be related to his business activities, an explanation that caused protests among the republic's Circassian population. According to the Jamestown Foundation, the activist was well-known for speaking out against the increasing violence among the different ethnic communities, particularly between Karachays -40% of the republic's population- and Circassians -which include Cherkessians, Kabardins and Adygeis and make up 11% of the census.

Tension between both communities broke out in 1999 during presidential elections. Shortly afterwards an agreement on power-sharing based on ethnic quotas was reached. The Karachaevo-Cherkessia Republic is home to a wide number of ethnic groups, a diversity which in the Northern Caucasus is only outnumbered by the Republic of Dagestan.

Several observers say the killing could increase Circassian demands for a republic of their own. The Circassian population of Karachaevo-Cherkessia is long excluded from the republic's economical and political life. The youth organization Adyghe Khase has already announced they are to demonstrate against this fact, a move that could add up to the campaign carried out in the Caucasus in favour of the recognition of the genocide against Circassians.

Further information:

• RFE/RL: Circassian Activist's Killing Rekindles Demands For Separate Republic
• The Jamestown Foundation: Murder of Circassian Activist Unsettles Multi-Ethnic Karachaevo-Cherkessia