Dagestani authorities define guarantees for militants' return to peaceful life

The leadership of Dagestan has addressed to the militants who decided to stop their terrorist and extremist activities in the territory of the republic with particular proposals on their return to peaceful life. A special memorandum lists the conditions under which former rebels may be exempt from criminal responsibility for earlier committed crimes.

This was announced by Rizvan Kurbanov, First Vice-Premier of Dagestan, who also heads the commission for assisting in adaptation to peaceful life to those who decide to stop terrorist and extremist activities in the territory of Dagestan.

Mr Kurbanov told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that under the current legislation persons, who voluntarily stop their participation in illegal armed formations and lay down their arms, and also those who help to prevent a terror act, are exempted from criminal liability.

"Besides, the legislation provides for conclusion of pre-trial cooperation agreement," said the Vice-Premier.

In this case, the court shall appoint the punishment to the defendant, which cannot exceed half of the maximum term or of the highest punishment stipulated by the relevant article of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.

"The whole further inquiry will be held under special control of the republic's prosecutor's office, the above commission that I head, the local bar and public organizations," said Mr Kurbanov.

He offered those who wish to return to peaceful life and want to find out the extent of their responsibility for committed crimes to address the lawyers who are members of the commission.

Let us remind you that the commission was set up under Decree of President of Dagestan Magomedsalam Magomedov on November 2, 2010. On November 13, the first sitting of the commission was held under the chairmanship of Rizvan Kurbanov. As noted by the Vice-Premier, President of Dagestan Magomedsalam Magomedov is the guarantor that unlawful methods of investigation will not be applied to the militants who surrender; and the guilt of each of them will be defined objectively.