Persoverzicht Tsjetsjenië – juni 2013

• 2013-07-03
• Europa in de wereld

3 juni 2013

US State Department report on terrorism: 659 people killed in terror attacks in Russia in 2012: According to the US State Department's annual report, called 'Country Reports on Terrorism 2012', 659 people were killed and 490 were injured in 182 terrorist attacks in Russia last year. Most of the terrorist attacks have been perpetrated in the North Caucasus. (MK)

4 juni 2013

Makhachkala mayor's arrest: (i) Commenting on the arrest of Makhachkala mayor Said Amirov on suspicion of organizing the murder of an investigator in December 2011, some experts suggest that the arrest would limit the influence of clans in Dagestan. Some observers link the Amirov arrest to the upcoming Winter Olympic Games in Sochi in 2014 and the Kremlin's efforts to ensure order and security in the North Caucasus. Izvestia reports that investigator Alexei Serdyukov, who has been involved in investigating terrorism related crimes, will be in charge of the Amirov case. Meanwhile, President Putin has signed a decree to dismiss Zhaudat Akhmetkhanov from the post of Interior Minister of the Republic of Karachayevo-Cherkessia. (ii) Nezavisimaya Gazeta dedicates a special supplement, 'NG-Politics', to a report on ethnic and religious threats to Russia's national security prepared by experts of the Institute of National Strategy led by Mikhail Remizov. (Kommersant, MK, MT, NG, Novye Izvestia; kremlin.ru)

5 juni 2013

Dagestan: Makhachkala mayor charged: Charges have been brought against Makhachkala mayor Said Amirov and two suspected accomplices, including deputy mayor of the town of Kaspiisk Yusup Dzhaparov, over the murder of investigator Arsen Gadzhibekov. Amirov has denied his guilt. Investigative Committee head Alexander Bastrykin said Tuesday that it took two years to prepare the operation to detain Amirov. In the view of observer Yulia Latynina, the Amirov arrest marks "a radical shift in the model of governance for Dagestan." (Gazeta.ru, Izvestia, Kommersant, MT, Novaya Gazeta, RG; Channel One)

7 juni 2013

Strasbourg Court rules Russia not responsible for Maskhadov's killing: The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that the Russian authorities were not responsible for the death of Chechen separatist leader Aslan Maskhadov, who was killed in 2005 during an operation by Russian security forces in Chechnya. At the same time, the Court ruled that Russia violated the human rights of Maskhadov's family by refusing to return his body to his family. (Gazeta.ru, Kommersant, RIAN)

10 juni 2013

Terror attacks prevented in Dagestan: (i) New terror attacks were prevented in Dagestan after law enforcement officers discovered two explosive devises in Makhachkala on Friday. (ii) Izvestia reports that defense lawyers for former mayor of Makhachkala Said Amirov, who has been arrested on suspicion of organizing the murder of an investigator, intend to file a complaint with the European Court of Human Rights over the custody conditions for Amirov. (iii) Addressing an alternative congress of the Ingush people yesterday in Moscow, Izvestia writes that participants of the forum criticized Ingush leader Yunus-Bek Yevkurov. Press mentions the detention on Friday in Moscow of head of the congress' organizing committee Iles Tatiyev on suspicion of involvement in an economic crime. (iv) Moskovsky Komsomolets comments on an initiative by Children's Rights Ombudsman Pavel Astakhov to give orphans to families in the North Caucasus. (Izvestia, Kommersant, MK)

13 juni 2013

Terror attacks prevented in Dagestan: Kommersant reports on the prevention of new terror attacks in Dagestan after two potential female suicide bombers were detained by law enforcement officers in Makhachkala and in Kaspiisk. The National Antiterrorism Committee said that homemade explosive devices have been found in apartments rented by the women. (Kommersant)

14 juni 2013

Dagestan University rector appointed acting mayor of Makhachkala: Rector of the Dagestan State University Murtazali Rabadanov has been appointed the acting mayor of Makhachkala (capital of Dagestan). Rabadanov is seen as a compromise figure. Meanwhile, former mayor of Makhachkala Said Amirov, who has been arrested on suspicion of organizing the murder of an investigator, was reportedly hospitalized after he tried to commit suicide in custody. However, his lawyer denied allegations of Amirov's suicide attempt. (Gazeta.ru, Izvestia, Kommersant, Novye Izvestia)

21 juni 2013

Ingush leader testifies in militant leader's trial: Yesterday in the North Caucasus District Military Court, Ingush leader Yunus-Bek Yevkurov testified in the trial of the case against militant leader Ali Taziyev (aka 'Magas'), who is accused of terrorism related crimes, including a 2009 assassination attempt on Yevkurov. Yevkurov called on Taziyev to repent. (Kommersant; NTV)

26 juni 2013

Serviceman sentenced to 15 years in jail over Dagestan Interior Minister's assassination: (i) The North Caucasus District Military Court has sentenced to 15 years imprisonment former army lieutenant Andrey Rezanov for murdering Dagestan Interior Minister Adilgerei Magomedtagirov in 2009. (ii) Media report on an initiative in Dagestan to declare an amnesty for former militants who laid down their arms. (Kommersant, MT)

28 juni 2013

Dagestan lawmaker detained on suspicion of ties with militants: (i) Media report on the detention in Makhachkala of United Russia lawmaker of Dagestan's regional legislature Magomed Magomedov on suspicion of organizing mass disturbances so that to hamper an FSB operation against militant leader Ibragim Gadzhidadayev's gang in March 2013. Magomedov is also suspected of extortion. (ii) Two militants reportedly killed and four law enforcement officers were wounded in a clash in Dagestan late on Wednesday. (Gazeta.ru, Kommersant, RG)