Mass fight with shooting in Khadzhalmakhi has to do with elections, villager is sure

Abumuslim Nurmagomedov, head of the village of Khadzhalmakhi in Dagestan, perished on October 10 from his wounds received in a skirmish that burst out from an unexpected shot in the air, said Magomed Magomedov, one of the villagers. According to his version, nobody knows who opened fire, but there is a version that they were militiamen. He also believes that the cause of the incident was in the elections.

"The fight as such began on October 10 in the morning near the building of local administration with participation of some 500 persons: on one side there stood supporters of Abumuslim Nurmagomedov, incumbent head of Khadzhalmakhi, on the other side - his opponents led by Magomed Alibekov," Magomed Magomedov told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

According to his story, initially there was a verbal sparring between Alibekov and Nurmagomedov. "Suddenly, someone shot into the air; Nurmagomedov immediately pulled out a pistol and send a bullet through Alibekov's leg. Other shots followed; as a result of which the incumbent received injuries, incompatible with life; one of his supporters was heavily wounded, and four persons more. Nobody knows who opened the fire; there is a version that they were OMON (special militia) fighters," said the source.

The "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was told at the Levashin district hospital that they received 4 persons; the state of one of them is extremely grave.

Magomedov, however, has added that the confrontation stems out from the desire to occupy the post of the head of the village, which was occupied by Nurmagomedov for the last three years.

He said that in the morning on October 10, loss of 4598 ballot papers was revealed. "Today, nobody knows who is behind this disappearance," said the Khadzhalmakhi resident.

Magomedgadji Magomedov, head of the Levashin District, has denied any links between the incident and the elections. "President of Dagestan Magomedsalam Magomedov has already told about what happened in Khadzhalmakhi. He said that the tragedy had nothing to do with the elections; and I agree with him," said the head of the district.