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Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia
Six residents of Karachay-Cherkessia accused of involvement in 'At Takfir wal-Hijra'
2025-05-20
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[KavkazUzel] The prosecution considers Khasin Kabardaev, a resident of the Adyge-Khablsky district, to be the organizer of the extremist cell; five more local residents will appear in court as its participants. 

As the "Caucasian Knot" wrote, in May 2024, a court in Cherkessk  placed six residents of Karachay-Cherkessia under arrest, suspected of organizing and participating in the activities of the extremist organization "At Takfir wal-Hijra". "At Takfir wal-Hijra" is not popular among residents of the North Caucasus and has not claimed responsibility for terrorist attacks in Russia, analysts interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot" indicated  at the time. 

The organization "At-Takfir wal-Hijra" (accusation of unbelief and hijra) appeared in Egypt and spread in the North Caucasus, especially in Kabardino-Balkaria in 1997-1998. Supporters of the organization belong to the Salafi movement in Islam and are distinguished by strict demands on co-religionists, according to the "Caucasian Knot" article " Kabardino-Balkaria: On the Path to Disaster. Prerequisites for the Armed Revolt in Nalchik on October 13-14, 2005."
They called themselves Jama'at al-Muslimin (Society of Muslims), but their Egyptian neighbours mockingly called them Excommunication and Exile. Cult-like, they require members to cut off all contact with their families. The introverted Takfir Wal Hijra faction split off from the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt in the 1960s. The extroverted “moderate” faction followed Ayman Al-Zawahiri into Al Qaeda. Takfir Wal Hijra consists of loosely affiliated cells which have committed acts of terror as far afield as Morocco and Holland.
The Adyge-Khabl District Court of Karachay-Cherkessia has accepted for consideration the case of six residents of the republic who were detained in May 2024 on charges of involvement in an extremist religious organization. 

The prosecution believes that the organizer of the At Takfir wal-Hijra* cell was Khasin Kabardaev: according to the investigation, he used his knowledge of the Islamic religion and Sharia, as well as his “leadership skills” and authority among members of the Muslim community of Karachay-Cherkessia, to create a division of the banned organization in the republic. 

The goal of the cell is said to be the propaganda and dissemination of radical views and ideas of the ideologists of "At Takfir wal-Hijra"* among the Muslims of the republic. According to investigators, the voluntary members of the association were Arsen Aichepshev, Murat Kabardaev, Nazir Koshev, Murat Mulazhev and Mikhail Smadich, who supported the religious views of Khasin Kabardaev, the United Press Service of the Courts of Karachay-Cherkessia reported today on its Telegram channel. 

The hearing on the case is scheduled for May 21. The "Caucasian Knot" does not yet have any comments from the accused or their lawyers regarding the prosecution's version of events.
Related:
At Takfir wal-Hijra: 2024-05-30 Six residents of Karachay-Cherkessia were arrested in connection with extremism
At Takfir wal-Hijra: 2022-03-08 Makhachkala resident convicted for nexus with At-Takfir Val-Hijra
Link


Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia
Four participants in the riots at Makhachkala airport received 10 years each
2025-05-15
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[Regnum] The district court in Mineralnye Vody, Stavropol Krai, sentenced four participants in the riots at the Makhachkala airport to 10 years in prison. This was reported on May 14 by the Prosecutor General's Office of the Russian Federation on its website.

“The court, taking into account the position of the state prosecutor, taking into account the nature and degree of public danger of the crimes committed and the role of each, sentenced the defendants to imprisonment for a term of 10 years each,” the statement said.

It is specified that the convicted persons Arsen Arbuliev, Malik Aliyev, Saidapandi Abdulazizov, Nazhmudin Abakarov will serve their sentences in a general regime penal colony.

All defendants were found guilty of participating in mass riots and refusing to comply with the lawful demands of law enforcement officers.

On October 29, 2023, over 1,200 people rioted at Uytash Airport, first breaking into the building and then onto the airfield. There, they surrounded a bus carrying passengers from a plane arriving from Tel Aviv. The riots occurred amid the escalation of the Middle East conflict and the situation in the Gaza Strip. Security forces suppressed the riots, and no passengers were harmed.
Related:
Makhachkala airport: 2025-05-06 Two militants who attacked traffic police officers were eliminated in Makhachkala
Makhachkala airport: 2025-04-27 Imam from Khasavyurt released by security forces
Makhachkala airport: 2025-04-15 Five participants in the riots at Makhachkala airport have been sentenced to long terms
Link


Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia
Investigators report arrest of participant in attack on security forces in Makhachkala
2025-05-13
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[KavkazUzel] The surviving participant in the attack on police officers that took place on May 5 in Makhachkala has been remanded in custody until July 5 at the request of the investigation, but remains in hospital in serious condition. He has been charged with four criminal offenses.

As "Kavkazsky Uzel" wrote, on May 5, there was an attack on a traffic police unit in Makhachkala, the police were shot at with machine guns. In the shootout, two police officers were killed, two more security officers and three civilians were wounded. The Investigative Committee announced that one of the attackers survived and is in the hospital, and also admitted guilt. The attackers chose the moment when the police were registering the accident for the attack.

The attack on security forces on May 5 does not appear to have been carefully planned, civilians were clearly random victims, and the police officers on duty were chosen as the most accessible target. This attack is only indirectly connected to recent armed incidents in Dagestan, although all of these incidents stem from common premises that the authorities have not eliminated over the years of fighting the underground, analysts interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot" pointed out. 

The surviving participant in the attack on the police officers has been remanded in custody for one month and 24 days, until July 5, according to a message today on the Telegram channel of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for Dagestan.

The arrested person is accused of committing crimes under Article 317 (attempt on the life of law enforcement officers), Article 166 (hijacking without intent to steal), Article 222 (illegal arms trafficking) and Article 226 (theft of arms) of the Criminal Code of Russia.

The measure of restraint for the detainee was chosen by the Sovietsky District Court of Makhachkala at the request of the investigation. According to the materials received by the court, on May 5, 2025, the accused, together with another accomplice to the crime, attacked traffic police officers in Makhachkala with knives and, having seized their service firearms and stolen a patrol car, fled in it.

Continuing to implement their criminal intent, the criminals fired aimed shots at the police officers. As a result of the actions of the accused and his accomplice, who was killed during the capture, both law enforcement officers died. Having reviewed the materials, the court ruled to choose a measure of restraint for the accused in the form of detention for a period of 1 month and 24 days, that is, until July 5, 2025, the United Press Service of the Courts of General Jurisdiction of Dagestan reported today on its Telegram channel.

The accused in the attack on police officers in Makhachkala, who was wounded by law enforcement officers, remains in hospital in serious condition. "The accused is still in the medical facility, his condition is serious," RIA Novosti quotes a representative of the press service of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for Dagestan as saying.

One of the two security officers killed on May 5, police officer Gazibeg Shakhbanov, was buried in the Tlyaratinsky district, where he was from. Shakhbanov was married but had no children, the father of the murdered man told the Mash Gor Telegram channel.
Related:
Makhachkala: 2025-05-08 The policeman who liquidated the terrorist in Dagestan had saved people before
Makhachkala: 2025-05-07 Survivor of Makhachkala Shootout Pleads Guilt
Makhachkala: 2025-05-07 Militant attack in Dagestan highlights past flaws in government tactics
Link


Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia
The policeman who liquidated the terrorist in Dagestan had saved people before
2025-05-08
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[Regnum] Police officer Murad Magomedov, who eliminated a terrorist in Makhachkala, is not performing a heroic act for the first time; he saved people and was wounded during militant attacks on churches and synagogues in 2024, and also helped victims of a gas station explosion in 2023. The man is currently recovering after a recent fight with a terrorist; doctors have managed to stabilize his condition and prepare him for another operation. Regnum News Agency was told about this by the police officer's colleagues and relatives.

On May 5, 2025, terrorists armed with machine guns attacked traffic police officers in Makhachkala when law enforcement officers tried to stop a car. They opened fire on the police at the intersection of Kerimov and Magomedtagirov streets and took over the patrol car. Three law enforcement officers were killed in the shootout. One was wounded by a gunshot, and several local residents were wounded, including a 17-year-old girl. One attacker was eliminated, the other was wounded and taken to the hospital.

He is currently charged with committing crimes under Articles 317 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (attempt on the life of law enforcement officers), 166 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (hijacking without the intent to steal), 222 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (illegal arms trafficking), and 226 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (theft of weapons).

One of the heroes who fought back the terrorists was 26-year-old police officer Murad Magomedov. During the shootout, the man received a gunshot wound to the leg. But despite the serious wound, the policeman rushed at the militant, snatched the knife from him in hand-to-hand combat and neutralized the terrorist. Murad Magomedov received multiple stab wounds and was hospitalized in serious condition. Before losing consciousness, the man managed to film his face, cut by the criminal's knife.

The footage shows a police officer rushing at the terrorist and knocking him to the ground. The incident is filmed from a second-floor window by frightened bystanders.

A SEASONED HERO
The police officer's former partner Magomed served side by side with him for four years in the patrol and guard service of the Makhachkala Ministry of Internal Affairs. They spent all these years together in the same crew and many times found themselves at the center of the most high-profile incidents, participated in repelling a terrorist attack at an Orthodox church on June 23, 2024 and saved people after a gas station explosion on August 14, 2023.

In June 2024, the partners came under fire during a terrorist attack on the Holy Dormition Cathedral in Makhachkala.

On June 23, armed militants attacked two Orthodox churches, synagogues and a traffic police post in Makhachkala and Derbent. Law enforcement officers resisted the terrorists, the attackers were eliminated, but more than 16 law enforcement officers and several civilians were killed in the clashes, and the number of casualties reached 61 people. On Ermoshkina Street in Makhachkala, the attackers attacked a traffic police post and set fire to a synagogue, after which they also attackedHoly Dormition Cathedral on Ordzhonikidze Street.

"There was a massacre there, we changed the morning shift and came under fire at the cathedral. Our crew was one of the first to arrive at the scene, within 10 minutes. Murad, I and other crews were shooting back at the terrorists," Magomed recalls.



The militants were eliminated. Criminal cases were opened on the basis of the attacks under the articles "Terrorist act", "Illegal acquisition, storage, transportation of firearms" and "Theft of firearms".

A year earlier, on August 14, 2023, Magomed and Murad literally witnessed an explosion at a gas station in Makhachkala. A fire broke out in the building of the car service, located at the intersection of Kulinskaya Street in the village of Novokuli and the Federal Highway of Makhachkala, and the fire spread to the premises where flammable fertilizer was stored. An explosion occurred, which damaged nearby houses, a gas station, and passing cars. The number of dead and injured exceeded 100 people, the explosion damaged about 45 buildings, including 40 residential buildings.

Seeing the explosion, Magomed and Murad rushed to the scene; the police were very close and miraculously were not injured.

"We were not physically injured, but psychologically this tragedy left a deep mark. So many dead and wounded, I have never seen anything like this before. I got out of the car, screaming, there was darkness all around, and a woman with two children in her arms came out to my voice. And they had shrapnel wounds on their faces. We immediately put them in a civilian car and sent them to the hospital," Magomed said.

This continued all night, the police officers helped pull out the wounded, then searched for the bodies of the dead. Both police officers did not leave the scene even after the end of their shift. 63 people were taken to hospitals, including 16 children. 11 victims, including two children, are in serious condition. Another 35 people died.

After the terrorist attack in 2024, Magomed transferred to another unit, and his partner remained in the same crew. Less than a year later, on May 5, 2025, Murad again entered into a fight with terrorists and was seriously wounded. The former partner was also at the scene, but missed Murad by a few minutes; he saw the policeman being taken to the hospital. Magomed learned about his friend's feat from his fellow soldiers. He is confident that Murad Magomedov deserves the highest award for his actions and other merits.

"This is his third feat, in fact. For the fact that we participated in countering the terrorist attack at the church last year, we were both awarded the title of "combat veteran". For this new feat, I think he should be awarded the title of Hero of Russia, he deserves it," the policeman said.

He is on the mend.

Murad Magomedov is currently recovering. On May 7, he was transferred from the Central Hospital of Makhachkala to the medical unit of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Dagestan, where he will undergo surgery on his leg on May 8. Murad's aunt Zemfira told how her nephew is feeling and what prognosis the doctors are giving for his treatment. In the fight with the terrorist, Murad Magomedov received three deep cut wounds to his face and arm, a concussion, and a through-and-through bullet wound to his thigh, which broke the bone. On the first day, the man received stitches for the cut wounds and stabilized his condition. The doctors waited for the swelling on the injured leg to go down to perform the surgery. And his relatives and colleagues hoped and believed that the man would survive and soon regain consciousness.

"We fought for Murad's life for two days, everyone was on edge, his mother's face was gone, she was very worried, she was literally on duty at the hospital. Everyone was waiting for him to wake up, including his colleagues, young patrol guys. They stood there, crying, it turns out that Murad covered them with himself, literally saved them. They were cornered, they themselves said that if he hadn't stopped this militant, this terrorist would have killed them too. We are all waiting for him to recover, he is our hero," the woman explained.

According to the aunt, Murad's colleagues are constantly in touch with his relatives, they inquire about his condition and offer help to the family. So far, almost no one is allowed into the man's ward, only the closest relatives, and even then not for long. The policeman is in a state of shock. After hospitalization, the parents were on duty at their son's ward all night and were very worried, because they did not know what condition Murad would be in when he woke up.

"When his mother came into his room, he started crying, he was in shock. The doctors warned us about this, a neurosurgeon will be monitoring him. He barely speaks yet, but he recognizes his relatives. We are happy about this, even though he is weak, even though he is in a serious condition, but at least he will recognize them," the woman shared.

The man was hospitalized almost at the same time as his new 26-year-old Islam, who was also wounded by terrorists. The men had worked together for several years and became friends. But doctors were unable to save Islam, he received serious injuries, from which he died in the hospital.

"It was very scary to watch how they were first brought in, and then Islam was taken to the morgue. It's terrible, they spent all their time together, they started serving in the same year. Murad hasn't been told yet that Islam is no more," Zemfira explained.

According to the woman, Murad had been injured before, but he took it very calmly. According to the rules of his profession, he rarely told his family about what he had to deal with at work, and he never bragged about his achievements.

"He had wounds before, but not so serious. He didn't even pay attention to them, he would bandage them himself at home, and that's it. He rode horses since childhood, grew up in the mountains, he is not at all fearful. He is always the first to climb, he is not afraid. You saw how in the video he jumped over that fence with a shot leg and chased that militant, how he took away the knife. Another person, probably already wounded, would have been scared, would have walked away. But Murad fought to the end, risked his life," Zemfira said.

After the shootout on June 23, 2024, Murad's family was seriously scared for their son. His aunt asked her nephew how it was that he always found himself in the center of the most dangerous events.

"He reacts to everything very quickly, running-running, and he's already there. He says, why did I go to the service, why do I need such a job if I'm not going to help. It's always like this with him, if he's needed, he runs, even in civilian clothes, even in his own car, even in his own free time, without eating, without sleeping, he'll run," the woman explained.

Zemfira is confident that Murad’s character is the result of proper upbringing and good relationships in the family.

FAMILY
The policeman's mother works as a primary school teacher, and his father is a farmer. Murad has two younger twin brothers. They are 21 years old, one of them is into martial arts, and the other followed in his father's footsteps and is learning to farm. His relatives really want Murad to meet a girl and get married, but the policeman doesn't have a wife or children yet.

"When it all happened, they wrote on Telegram channels that his wife and children were waiting for him at home. Unfortunately, this is not true. He has never been married, and he has no children. But we hope that they will appear. He is very shy in this regard. He is very well-mannered, we told him that it was time to start a family, and he joked in response: "Find a worthy bride, show her to me, I will definitely get married," the aunt said.

Now the family is waiting for Murad to undergo another operation and for him to be visited. The policeman has a long rehabilitation ahead, but his relatives and colleagues are very happy that Murad is already on the mend.

Link


Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia
Survivor of Makhachkala Shootout Pleads Guilt
2025-05-07
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[KavkazUzel] A resident of Dagestan, hospitalized from the scene of a shootout in Makhachkala, has admitted guilt in attacking police officers. He has been charged under four criminal articles.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot", on May 5 there was an attack on a traffic police unit in Makhachkala. The police stopped a car to check documents and were shot at with machine guns. In the shootout, two police officers were killed, two more security officers and three civilians were wounded, including a woman and a 17-year-old girl. The Ministry of Internal Affairs stated that both attackers were killed, but today the Investigative Committee clarified that only one participant in the attack was killed, and the second was wounded and hospitalized in serious condition.

The hospitalized local resident, whom investigators believe to be a participant in the attack, has been charged under four criminal articles: 317 of the Russian Criminal Code (attempt on the life of law enforcement officers), 166 of the Russian Criminal Code (hijacking without the purpose of theft), 222 of the Russian Criminal Code (illegal arms trafficking) and 226 of the Russian Criminal Code (theft of arms), the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for Dagestan reported today on its Telegram channel.

"During interrogation as an accused, the latter admitted his guilt and described in detail the circumstances of the attack on the police officers," the publication says.

Article 317 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation provides for up to life imprisonment; the other articles of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation under which the resident of Dagestan was charged also provide for imprisonment for shorter terms.

Let us recall that, according to unofficial information, Akhmed Alimagomedov and Batal Magomedov, both born in 2000, took part in the attack, Kommersant reported on May 5. According to the publication's source, they were natives of Dagestan, and both had not previously come to the attention of the special services.

The attack on security forces in Makhachkala was at least the third armed incident in Dagestan in two months. Since May 2022, seven similar incidents have occurred in the republic: two were recorded in 2024, one each in May 2023 and May 2022.

Link


Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia
Militant attack in Dagestan highlights past flaws in government tactics
2025-05-07
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[KavkazUzel] The attack in Makhachkala and other recent armed incidents in Dagestan are only indirectly connected, although they stem from common premises that the authorities have not eliminated over the years of fighting the underground - social injustice and legal problems. 

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot", on May 5 there was an attack on a traffic police unit in Makhachkala. The police stopped a car to check documents and were shot at with machine guns. In the shootout, two police officers were killed, two more security officers and three civilians were wounded, including a woman and a 17-year-old girl. There were two attackers,  both were killed, the Ministry of Internal Affairs said, refuting the previously disseminated information about four participants in the attack. Today, the Investigative Committee announced that one of the attackers survived and is in the hospital, and also admitted guilt. 

The attack on security forces in Makhachkala was at least the third armed incident in Dagestan in two months. Since May 2022, seven  similar incidents have occurred in the republic: two were recorded in 2024, one more in May 2023 and one in May 2022. "Caucasian Knot" maintains an updated chronicle " Dagestan: Chronicle of Terror (1996-2025) ".

The attack in Makhachkala in the context of recent incidents in Dagestan that preceded it was commented on to the "Caucasian Knot" by retired police colonel Amir Kolov, representative of the republic's Public Monitoring Commission Shamil Khadulaev, journalist Milrad Fatullaev and his colleague, who wished to speak on condition of anonymity. 

THE MOTIVES FOR THE ATTACK ARE STILL UNCLEAR.
The armed incidents that have occurred in Dagestan since the beginning of the year do not yet allow us to say that some kind of systemic underground movement is being revived in the republic, believes a journalist from the Makhachkala publication, who wished to speak on condition of anonymity.

"The motives of the attackers are unknown, there is no information that they swore allegiance to any movement or that they themselves held extreme views. So far, these events do not appear to be part of some systematic underground work," he emphasized.

He trusts the correction of the Interior Ministry's report that there were not four but two attackers. "This is confirmed by the analysis of video recordings and the chronology of events. The appearance of information about four militants is a consequence of the fact that there was a little confusion associated with the flow of disparate information from unofficial resources, and the official ones were slow in working," the journalist explained. 

He added that videos from the scene of the incident showed a rare case - a wounded and unarmed policeman was able to defeat his opponent in hand-to-hand combat. "The video shows that the militant was walking towards him with a large knife and clearly posed a threat," the journalist noted. 

The previous armed incident involving law enforcement officers occurred on April 23 in Derbent, where a car driver refused to stop at the request of law enforcement officers, ran over one of them and opened fire, wounding one of the police officers. Law enforcement officers shot the driver. It was later announced that the victim  was preparing a terrorist attack on the Ministry of Internal Affairs department together with other residents of the republic, and four suspects were detained.

Milrad Fatullayev also doubts that the various attacks could indicate some kind of revival of a single armed underground. "I think that to some extent this underground continued to exist, it was not completely eradicated. It is no secret that some part was ready and could, under certain conditions, take up arms, which happens before and during holidays. If we talk about whether these crimes are connected, I think not. Even if they have common curators, they are external, and they led these people separately. These were underground sleeper cells that woke up at a certain signal or instruction from their curators," he said.

The journalist agrees that a terrorist attack took place in Derbent. "What happened in Derbent, where a policeman also tried to stop a car and the driver opened fire, and then two or three of his associates were detained, I am sure that it was a terrorist attack. The weapons they had were not intended to resolve any criminal issues. They were traveling with some other political goals and objectives," Fatulaev believes.

LAWYER CALLS FOR LEAVING MILITANTS ALIVE
In order to save the lives of police officers in the future, the Dagestani authorities should move away from the usual methods of counter-terrorism and "try as hard as possible to keep alive" the participants in attacks, believes lawyer and public figure Arsen Magomedov. 

"Their murder (neutralization) hides many secrets that could help society better understand this problem and take measures to solve it. After all, without understanding the motives of the criminals, the details of their preparation and other aspects, it is impossible to effectively protect ourselves in the future. If the criminals acted out of religious hatred, then it is necessary to urgently develop a plan of measures to increase the loyalty of the religious community to the police (...) Of course, it is important to exclude the involvement of the police in actions that the religious community perceives as an infringement of their rights," Magomedov wrote on his Telegram channel, noting that there is experience of such measures in foreign practice.

On June 23, 2024, on Trinity Day, which is one of the main Christian holidays, militants  attacked  synagogues and Orthodox churches in Derbent and Makhachkala. As a result, at least 22 people were killed and 46 were injured. Investigators believe that the group whose members carried out the attacks was created by the son of the head of the Sergokalinsky district,  Magomed Omarov. "Caucasian Knot" has prepared reports " The Main Thing About the Participants in the Attacks in Makhachkala and Derbent " and " Attacks on the Church, Synagogues, and Security Forces in Dagestan ".

SOCIAL TENSION REMAINS A PREREQUISITE FOR EXTREMISM
There is an indirect connection between the May 5 attack and the terrorist attack in the summer of 2024, when militants attacked police officers in Makhachkala in almost the same place, believes Shamil Khadulaev.

"After last year's terrorist attack, I knew that we would have more emergencies. Watching what was happening and understanding the trend of where we were going, this was to be expected. After the terrorist attack in June last year, I said that this, unfortunately, will not stop. Wherever you go, there is one continuous problem: corruption, problems with human rights, the gap between the poor majority and the rich, other problems," he told a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

In order to prevent such terrorist attacks, it is important to work in this direction among young people." According to Khadulaev, the "airport case" also played a significant role in increasing public discontent. "These are flaws in the judicial system: we see how trials are conducted, where all the indictments are carbon copies and everyone gets roughly the same sentences, 8-10 years. Even for murder they don't give that much, no matter where the trial takes place. But we understand that this cannot be," he said.

Link


Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia
Two militants who attacked traffic police officers were eliminated in Makhachkala
2025-05-06
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[Regnum] Two attackers on traffic police officers were eliminated in Makhachkala. This was reported by the head of the press service and information technology department of the Sovietsky district of Makhachkala, Abdulla Kamilov.



“According to the information we have, two militants were neutralized,” Kamilov wrote on his Telegram channel.

According to him, during the attack the terrorists took over a police patrol car. Now law enforcement officers continue to search for other possible participants in the incident. Kamilov called on local residents to wait until the operational work is completed and not to go outside.

As reported by the Regnum news agency, unknown persons opened fire on police officers at the intersection of Kerimov and Magomedtagirov streets in Makhachkala. As a result, three law enforcement officers were killed, and one of the attackers was killed by return fire.

According to the head of Dagestan, Sergei Melikov, the shooting was carried out by the driver of a car that the police were trying to stop. The city has an "Intercept" plan in place. As a result of the incident, one police officer was killed and two others were injured. According to the regional health ministry, at least seven people were injured, including a seventeen-year-old girl.

Later, footage of a shootout between police officers and armed bandits at the intersection of Kerimov and Magomedtagirov streets appeared online. The footage shows police cars and the bodies of the dead, as well as eyewitnesses hiding from bullets.

The regional department of the Investigative Committee opened a criminal case on the fact of an attempt on the lives of law enforcement officers.
Related:
Makhachkala: 2025-04-29 The case of the preparation of an attack on a temple in Sunzha has reached court
Makhachkala: 2025-04-27 Imam from Khasavyurt released by security forces
Makhachkala: 2025-04-15 Five participants in the riots at Makhachkala airport have been sentenced to long terms
Link


Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia
The case of the preparation of an attack on a temple in Sunzha has reached court
2025-04-29
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[KavkazUzel] By the end of the investigation, three defendants remained in the case of the preparation of an attack on security forces and an Orthodox church in Sunzha. The prosecution requested compulsory treatment for one of them. 

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot", in August 2024 it became known  about the detention of six residents of Ingushetia, who, according to the investigation, were preparing attacks on security forces and an Orthodox church in Sunzha. One of the suspects stated that he received instructions from Syria, from a native of Dagestan living there. According to information from the Magas District Court, three of the suspects were minors at the time of their detention. 

On April 28, the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for Ingushetia reported the completion of the investigation into the case of preparation of a terrorist act in Sunzha. The case of two local residents, one of whom is a minor, was sent to court. 

The young people are accused of involvement in an illegal armed group, terrorist activity, preparation of a terrorist act, as well as illegal trafficking of weapons and explosive devices. 

According to the investigation, in August 2024, three minors from Ingushetia joined an international terrorist organization banned in Russia. They planned to commit an armed attack on law enforcement officers and a terrorist act in Sunzha, according to a publication on the department's official VKontakte page. 

The investigation believes that the three teenagers were able to purchase automatic firearms and explosive devices, which they hid in a cache on the outskirts of the Sunzhensky District of Ingushetia. The accused have been remanded in custody, the Investigative Committee said in a statement. 

The case has been sent to court for consideration on the merits, and the materials concerning the third defendant, also a minor, have been separated into a separate proceeding: the prosecution believes that “compulsory medical measures” should be applied to him. According to Article 97 of the Criminal Code of Russia, such measures are applied to people who committed a crime in a state of insanity or to people with mental disorders.  

The security forces announced the prevention of an attack on an Orthodox church in Sunzha a month after the high-profile terrorist attack in Dagestan: on June 23, on Trinity Day, which is one of the main Christian holidays, militants  attacked synagogues and Orthodox churches in Derbent and Makhachkala. As a result, at least 22 people were killed and 46 were injured.



Related:
Sunzha: 2025-04-14 Security forces confirm connection between imams' detention and Gurazhev's group case
Sunzha: 2024-12-12 War Without Victory Day: How Russia Almost Lost Chechnya
Sunzha: 2024-08-29 Suspects in preparation of terrorist attacks in Ingushetia turned out to be ISIS supporters
Link


Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia
Imam from Khasavyurt released by security forces
2025-04-27
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[KavkazUzel] The imam of the Central Juma Mosque in Khasavyurt,
…in Dagestan…
Yahya Magomedov, who was detained this morning after a search, was released by security forces.

As "Kavkazsky Uzel" wrote, this morning the security forces detained the imam of the mosque in Khasavyurt, Yahya Magomedov, and his eldest son, after a search of their house they were taken to Makhachkala. The son has already been released.

The imam of the central mosque of Khasavyurt, Yahya Magomedov, a native of the Tsumadinsky district, is considered the leader of a religious group that considers itself to be Ash'harites,
…one of the three main schools of Sunni Islam, apparently. They’re keen on what they think of as rationalism…
which has formed around the oldest Islamic university in modern Dagestan. They have no religious disagreements with the muftiate. However, the muftiate, in the opinion of the Tsumadin residents, does not want this group to become stronger, according to the reference material of the "Caucasian Knot" "Conflict in Agvali: Jamaat versus the Muftiate".
Heaven forbid the rationalists in their midst be mainstreamed. Some things simply cannot be allowed, like acknowledging that those MAGA people are fully human.
Imam of the Khasavyurt mosque Yahya Magomedov and his eldest son Muhammadsaygid have been released, blogger Rasul Asad reported today in his Telegram channel "Ask Rasul". The source of this information, as well as the reasons for the detention, are not indicated in the message.

As of 20:30 Moscow time, the websites of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Investigative Committee of Dagestan, as well as the agencies’ Telegram channels, do not contain any information about Magomedov’s detention or the reasons for it.

"Kavkazsky Uzel" wrote that the document checks in Khasavyurt, which took place on April 19-20, were connected with the search for suspects in the crime, and the girls in niqabs, the video of whose detention was distributed on social networks, did not have documents with them, explained the Ministry of Nationalities of Dagestan. The department denied the involvement of the Muftiate of Dagestan in the actions of the security forces.

A temporary ban on wearing niqabs has been introduced in Dagestan; it will be in effect until a new theological opinion, the republic's Muftiate announced on July 3, 2024. Statements by representatives of the Islamic clergy on the issue of the fatwa on the niqab have sparked a debate about the presence of "radical" mosques in Dagestan and, on the contrary, those loyal to the Muftiate. Disputes have also arisen about whether the ban is mandatory or advisory in nature. The "Caucasian Knot" reference " Fatwa on the ban on the niqab - a law or a recommendation " contains expert opinions on whether the ban of the Muftiate of Dagestan will be implemented.
Related:
Niqabs 01/26/2025 Two Iraqi border guards killed in Duhok
Niqabs 12/31/2024 Mufti who supported polygamy is to be awarded an order, the Human Rights Council reports
Niqabs 12/12/2024 Court sentences seven participants in riots at Makhachkala airport

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Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia
Five participants in the riots at Makhachkala airport have been sentenced to long terms
2025-04-15
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[KavkazUzel] Today, the Leninsky District Court of Stavropol sentenced Dagestan residents Bashir Gazimagomedov, Mirzabek Gamzabekov, Saiputdin Gasankhanov, Mikail Misrikhanov and Yusup Shamilov to terms ranging from 8 years to 10 years and 2 months.

As the "Caucasian Knot" reported, the case against these five defendants was brought to court in January. All defendants were charged with participating in mass riots and failure to comply with transport safety requirements at transport infrastructure facilities.

Criminal cases on participation in the riots at Makhachkala airport are being considered by courts in Krasnodar and Stavropol Krais. From August 2024 to March 2025, 84 people were convicted on charges of participation in the riots, they were sentenced to imprisonment for terms ranging from 4.5 to 10.5 years.

"The court, taking into account the position of the state prosecutor, taking into account the nature and degree of public danger of the crimes committed and the role of each, sentenced the defendants to imprisonment for a term of 8 years to 10 years and 2 months, to be served in a general regime penal colony," the prosecutor's office said in a statement, as quoted by TASS.

According to the case file on the court's website, five defendants were found guilty under Part 2 of Article 212 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (participation in mass riots accompanied by violence, pogroms, destruction of property, use of objects posing a danger to others, as well as armed resistance to a government official), Part 3 of Article 263.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (failure to comply with transport safety requirements at transport infrastructure facilities and vehicles, if this act resulted in major damage through negligence, committed by a group of persons by prior conspiracy).

According to the investigation, Bashir Gazimagomedov, Mirzabek Gamzabekov, Saiputdin Gasankhanov, Mikail Misrikhanov, Yusup Shamilov took part in mass riots at the Uytash airport based on national and religious hatred and hostility towards Israeli citizens. However, their specific actions are not described in the prosecutor's office release.

It should be noted that earlier today the Mineralnye Vody City Court sentenced four residents of Dagestan to 8 years in prison, recognizing them as participants in the riots at the Makhachkala airport.

Sentences of 8-10 years in prison have become common in the "airport case," noted the chairman of the Dagestan POC, Shamil Khadulaev, in March. "Everything is being done as if from a carbon copy," he told the "Caucasian Knot."
Related:
Makhachkala airport: 2025-03-29 Two sentences in the Uytash airport riot case have come into force
Makhachkala airport: 2025-03-26 Thirteen Dagestani residents sentenced in Makhachkala riots case
Makhachkala airport: 2025-03-22 Four Dagestani residents convicted in Makhachkala riots case
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Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia
Muftiate of the North Caucasus named the date of Uraza-Bayram (Eid al-Fitr)
2025-03-30
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[KavkazUzel] In Dagestan, Eid al-Fitr will begin on March 31. The other regions of the North Caucasus have named March 30 as the holiday, but the Muftiate of Karachay-Cherkessia has not announced the date of the holiday.

As the "Caucasian Knot" reported, this year in all the republics of the North Caucasus the month of Ramadan began on March 1. In Chechnya, the days from March 30 to April 1  have been declared non-working in connection with the holiday marking the end of the month of fasting.

The authorities of Dagestan reported that the holidays are March 31 and April 1, in total the republic will have four days off, including the weekend. The exact date will be announced by the Muftiate of Dagestan, the administration of the head of Dagestan reported.

During  Ramadan,  Muslims must abstain from food and drink during daylight hours.  Eid  al-Fitr is the holiday of breaking the fast after a month of fasting. On the occasion of the holiday, it is customary to receive guests, visit loved ones, and also the graves of relatives. The Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Russia announced on March 16 that Eid al-Fitr in 2025 will be held on March 30.

The Muftiate of the Republic of Dagestan announced on its official channels that the celebration of Eid al-Fitr will take place on March 31. 

The Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kabardino-Balkaria reported on its Telegram channel that due to the fact that they saw the new moon, March 30 is the holiday of "Uraza-Bayram". 

The same date was also mentioned by the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Chechnya, the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Stavropol Krai, and the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of North Ossetia in their Telegram channels.

"In Saudi Arabia, the new moon was visually recorded, therefore, following the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah, tomorrow - March 30 - we will celebrate the holiday of Eid al-Fitr," said the Mufti of Chechnya, Salah Mezhiyev.

The end of Ramadan was announced today by the head of Ingushetia, Makhmud-Ali Kalimatov, on his Telegram channel.

The Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Karachay-Cherkessia did not announce the date of the holiday on its resources, but in the prayer calendar published on the muftiate's website, March 30 is indicated as the day of Ramadan. Earlier, the head of Karachay-Cherkessia Rashid Temrezov declared March 31 a non-working day in connection with the celebration of Eid al-Fitr.

"Kavkazsky Uzel" also wrote that during Ramadan the prices of eggs, meat, butter, dates and other products increased significantly. The authorities  are not taking measures to prevent the increase in prices before Eid al-Fitr, residents of Makhachkala indicated.

Residents of Kabardino-Balkaria also reported rising food prices. According to them, the price increase began before Ramadan.

In Chechnya, food prices have risen ahead of Eid al-Fitr. Residents are forced to buy food in neighboring regions, but fear that food will be confiscated at checkpoints under the pretext of supporting local entrepreneurs. The deputy mufti of Chechnya called on entrepreneurs not to raise food prices during Ramadan. These calls came too late, as prices have already risen significantly, the authors of comments on the social network indicated. They proposed introducing penalties for those who inflate prices. On March 17,  Ramzan Kadyrov  ordered raids to be stepped up, food with unjustified markups to be confiscated from sellers and distributed to those in need. The Grozny mayor's office then  reported on raids  in stores.

Kadyrov's threats to confiscate food from vendors come amid an existing practice: previously, they were confiscated from buyers of goods purchased before Eid al-Fitr outside the republic. Two residents of Chechnya spoke about the inspection of cars on the border with Dagestan before Eid al-Fitr in 2024 as part of the fight against violators of the "resolution on supporting local entrepreneurship," according to a  report published on March 13 by the "Caucasian Knot." The police said that "they had orders to confiscate in favor of children's institutions," but one of those interviewed, an elderly driver, managed to persuade the security forces. In another case, the security forces "pulled two boxes of chickens and one package of 30 eggs from the car." Residents of Chechnya  also spoke about similar inspections at the Gerzel post in 2023 . "They picked on the chickens, saying that we are not patriots of the republic, that in Chechnya they sell chickens everywhere, and you buy them in Dagestan. In short, they confiscated the chickens," a resident of Chechnya quoted her neighbor's story.

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Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia
Two sentences in the Uytash airport riot case have come into force
2025-03-29
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[KavkazUzel] The sentences handed down by the Oktyabrsky and Kirovsky district courts of Stavropol to two groups of people convicted of participating in the riots at the Makhachkala airport have entered into legal force.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot", the Kirov District Court in Stavropol Krai sentenced Maksud Shcheikhgasanov, Ismail Ibakov, Shamil Mirzabekov, Magomed Khalilbegov and Rabadan Rabadanov, accused of involvement in the riots at the Makhachkala airport, to terms ranging from eight years to nine years and four months. At the end of January, the Oktyabrsky Court sentenced Gamzat Isakov, Makhmud Dzhavatkhanov and Abdulbasir Atavov to lengthy terms.

The sentences of two groups of those convicted in the "airport case" have come into force, lawyer Bashir Abdurakhmanov, who defended the participants in the trials in the Oktyabrsky District Court of Stavropol and the Kirovsky District Court of Stavropol Krai, told a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent on March 28.

"When considering the appeal in the Oktyabrsky District Court, the convicts were given two months of imprisonment each, and the sentence was upheld. As for the Kirovsky District Court, the convicts decided not to file an appeal. Thus, both sentences came into force," Abdurakhmanov said.

Mass riots at Makhachkala airport occurred on October 29, 2023, due to a report of the arrival of a plane with passengers from Israel. More than 20 people were injured in the riots, including nine police officers. 1,200 people were brought to administrative responsibility. What happened at Uytash airport
…in full, the Makhachkala Uytash Airport is a civil airport located near Makhachkala. That October the locals were exercised about Israel daring to fight back against fellow Moslems, so a crowd went to the airport to beat up a rumoured airplane full of Jews coming in from Israel. It turned out there were no Jews on the plane, and as the small local Jewish population was keeping itself carefully out of sight, the crowd turned to riot and mayhem at the airport, causing extensive and expensive damage while the world watched. The government was mortified; it has proceeded to share its pain with the entire mob as each man is identified and caught…
and how the investigation is proceeding is described in the "Caucasian Knot" report "Case of the pogrom at Makhachkala airport."
Related:
Makhachkala airport: 2025-03-26 Thirteen Dagestani residents sentenced in Makhachkala riots case
Makhachkala airport: 2025-03-22 Four Dagestani residents convicted in Makhachkala riots case
Makhachkala airport: 2025-03-08 Defense of those convicted of Makhachkala riots prepares appeal against verdict
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