Medvedev's administration transfers Didoy problems to Khloponin's office

Shortly before his death, Magomed Gamzatov, one of the leaders of the Didoy ethnic minority residing in Dagestan received a letter from the administration of the President of Russia. The "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was told about it by a relative of Gamzatov.

He explained that Gamzatov was full of optimism with regard to the fact that he had received a response to his appeal from the administration of the Russian President. The letter ran that the materials attached to Mr Gamzatov's appeal were sent for consideration on the merits to the office of Alexander Khloponin, Russian President's Plenipotentiary in the North-Caucasian Federal District (NCFD).

The same source said that some time ago Gamzatov travelled to the Tsuntin District to collect new signatures, confirming that the Didoy nationals granted him the authority to represent their interests in power structures. However, in his native district, he was detained and fined by 500 roubles.

"He went to the district to talk to its population," the source told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent and explained that Gamzatov sent there on invitation of residents themselves, although earlier the settlement and district administration said that Didoys did not delegate the authority of their representative to Gamzatov.

"Before his departure he managed to hold a couple of meetings with Didoys in two or three localities," said an activist of the NCA "Didoytsy". "As he then explained, the district bosses ordered to drive him out."

On his way back Magomed Gamzatov was stopped by frontier guards and asked to present his documents. "He was fined by 500 roubles and prescribed to leave the district within 24 hours allegedly for his coming there without a permit and visa," said the activist.

"They tried to show him as an outcast, but the population always greeted him as a hero. The district bosses have now realized their mistake and apologize," said the activist of the NCA "Didoytsy".