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In the beginning, it was used by the Russian authorities, especially the 
military circles, against Georgia. But in time, because of the Confederation’s 
increasing anti-Russian and anti-federal discourse and attitude, the authorities in 
Moscow started to oppose the idea of any kind of an organisation outside Russian 
control. 
Moreover, the Georgian assaults on Abkhazia and the Confederation’s 
quick reaction to it, resulted in a rapprochement between Georgia and Russia. After 
talks between Yeltsin and Shevardnadze in late August
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, the Ministry of Justice 
of the Russian Federation issued a statement in which the actions of the 
Confederation was defined as a gross violation of the Constitution.
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 Accordingly, 
Valentin Stepankov, Procurator General of the Russian Federation instigated 
criminal proceedings against the Confederation for stirring up inter-ethnic strife, 
committing terrorist acts, and diversions, and taking hostages. In his accusation, the 
procurator stressed that despite the fact the Confederation has proclaimed itself a 
socio-political institution, it was clearly claiming the role of substitute for the legal 
bodies of a state power. The anti-constitutional thrust of this organization was 
displayed perfectly by the attempts to create a parliament, defence council and 
armed forces, the establishment of the post of commander-in-chief, the adoption of 
                                                 
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 In a telephone conversation on 24 August these two leaders condemned the activities of the 
Confederation and Yeltsin in a session of Russian Security Council stated that he would personally 
take the necessary steps to stop the conflict and to start peace talks. “Yeltsin and Shevardnadze 
discuss situation in Abkhazia,” SWB SU/1469, C3/3, 26 August 1992. 
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 “Mountain Peoples acting outside the law according to Russian Justice Ministry,” SWB SU/1470, 
C1/2, 27 August 1992. 

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documents calling for the continuity of terrorist acts.
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 The Procurator entrusted 
the investigation of the case to its investigation department in which representatives 
from the ministries of security and internal affairs took part. 
The leaders of the Confederation quickly reacted and rejected the 
accusations and activities of Yeltsin and the Justice Ministry. Shanibov and 
Soslambekov stated that the Confederation did not recognize the jurisdiction, 
which intended to prosecute the organization for unconstitutional activities with 
regard to Georgia.
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While the Russians were continuing peace negotiations between the Abkhaz 
and Georgians, they detained Shanibov as part of their policy of repressing the 
Confederation. He was accused of encouraging ‘internal disharmony’ and of 
signing a document on forming armed detachments to send to Abkhazia. 
Demonstrations, demanding his release began over the entire North Caucasus, 
especially Kabardino-Balkaria
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 in repsonse. The demonstrators blockaded 
Nalchik airport and a state of emergency was declared.
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On 27 September 1992, after the meeting of its parliament, the 
Confederation issued an appeal to the Russian Procurator General requesting him 
not to view the Confederation’s actions as unconstitutional. The appeal explained 
                                                 
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 “Proceedings against Confederation of Mountain People instituted,” SWB SU/1471, B/2, 28 
August 1992. 
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 “Mountain Peoples do not recognize jurisdiction of Russian procurator,” SWB SU/1476, C1/5, 3 
September 1992. 
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 “Demands for release of CMP’s leader,” SWB SU/1496, ii; 26 September; “Demonstrations in 
Kabardino-Balkaria support mountainmen’s leader,” SWB SU/1497, C2/, 28 September 1992. 
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 “State of emergency declared in Kabarda-Balkaria; Fighting continues,” SWB SU/1498, B/4; 29 
September 1992. “State of emergency suspended in Kabardin-Balkaria,” SWB SU/1498, i; 29 
September 1992. 

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why the Confederation’s president signed his decree on forming armed units to 
fight in Abkhazia.
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While these demonstrations were continuing, Shanibov managed to escape 
from custody in Rostov and addressed a meeting in Nalchik on 28
 
September. In a 
television interview, Shanibov said: “We want peace, we want to preserve Russia 
as a commonwealth of peoples – of free peoples. We have not forgotten history, 
and we still feel for the Russian State. We do care about where it is heading.”
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How he escaped is still unknown and is viewed suspiciously. While some 
claim he was released due to rising pressures from the Kabardian Peoples’ 
Congress and Adygey-Khase, and their fear of a possible opposition coup, there 
were also rumours that the Russian let him out to prevent unrest from spreading 
into other areas of the Caucasus. In addition, in an article published in Segodnya,
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it was implied that he has close contacts with Russian military officials in the 
region. These close contacts made his ‘escape’ possible. 
 
In order to analyse the complex situation and position of the Confederation 
in the region and to decide on what policy to adopt towards Russia, the Fourth 
Extraordinary Congress of the Peoples of the Caucasus was organized in Grozny 
on 3-4 October 1992. 
In this Congress the first and most serious split in the Confederation 
emerged. Representatives adopted two different approaches on relations with 
                                                 
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 “Confederation of Caucasian Mountain Peoples appeals for leader’s release,” SWB SU/1498, B/5, 
29 September. 
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 “Nalchik Demonstrations Continues; Situation Relatively Calm,” SWB SU/1500, B/2-3, 1 
October. 

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