Georgian scientists and cultural figures have stood up for Larisa Tuptsokova.

Georgian philologists, historians, and activists have come out in support of Circassian activist Larisa Tuptsokova, calling for an end to her persecution in Russia. Meanwhile, Rosfinmonitoring has added her name to the register of extremists and terrorists.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," journalist and Circassian activist Larisa Tuptsokova reported in October that security forces had conducted searches of her parents' home in Adygea and questioned her relatives in connection with an extremism case. Around 30 human rights defenders and activists from Adygea, Kabardino-Balkaria, Karachay-Cherkessia, and the Krasnodar Territory appealed to Murat Kumpilov to demand that the criminal prosecution of Tuptsokova be dropped due to the lack of evidence of a crime. The signatories of the appeal in her defense noted Tuptsokova's significant contribution to the preservation of her native language and pointed out that the case against her could become a precedent for the prosecution of other people who have collaborated with the cultural center in Tbilisi.

Representatives of Georgia's creative and scientific intelligentsia have issued an open letter in support of Larisa Tuptsokova, who has lived and worked in the country for over 13 years.

The authors of the letter noted that her work, including translating works by Georgian authors, is humanitarian in nature and aimed at preserving and developing the cultures of the peoples of the Caucasus. The letter was signed by renowned Georgian philologists, poets, historians, translators, and public figures, the Kabardino-Balkaria Human Rights Center reported on its Telegram channel on November 12.

Georgian writer Mikhail Ganishashvili published an open letter in support of Larisa Tuptsokova on his Facebook page*. In addition to himself, the letter was signed by 20 people—writers, translators, journalists, and academics with professorial degrees.

“Her long-term work to preserve and develop her native language, as well as her significant contribution to deepening cultural ties between the peoples of the Caucasus, deserve profound respect and cannot be discussed in any other context. (...) She was awarded the Ilia Chavchavadze Literary Prize. In 2021, she was nominated for the State Award – the Order of Merit – for her exceptional contribution to the development of literature,” the statement reads, in part.

Some of the authors of the first open appeal in support of Tuptsokova, sent to the head of Adygea by activists from the North Caucasus and Southern Federal Districts, appealed to the Kabardino-Balkarian prosecutor’s office on November 12 in connection with pressure from security forces. They were summoned to law enforcement agencies to "give explanations," demanding they explain their acquaintance with Tuptsokova, their reasons for signing the petition, and other participants in the initiative.

"The complaint notes that such actions violate Article 33 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation and Federal Law No. 59-FZ, which prohibits the prosecution of citizens for appeals to government agencies. The authors regard this as an obstruction of legitimate public activity and demand an investigation to ensure the protection of the signatories' rights," the Kabardino-Balkaria Human Rights Center also reported.

Although the complaint was filed with the Kabardino-Balkaria Prosecutor's Office, activists note that such pressure on people who spoke out in support of Tuptsokova has occurred elsewhere.

Larisa Tuptsokova's personal information was added to Rosfinmonitoring's list of terrorists and extremists on Tuesday, November 11, according to a message from a Telegram bot tracking list updates.