Residents of Khrakh-Uba to hold new protest action in capital of Dagestan

Residents of the Dagestani enclave in Azerbaijan - the village of Khrakh-Uba - have announced their plans to hold a new rally on May 23 in Makhachkala, where they intend to demand again from the authorities of Dagestan and Russia to protect their interests.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on February 8 a rally was held in Makhachkala with participation of villagers from Khrakh-Uba (Khrakhoba), which is part of the Novoaul Rural Soviet of the Magaramkent District of Dagestan, but is located in the territory of the Khachmaz District of Azerbaijan, who demanded protection of their rights.

The "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was informed by Bakhtiyar Mamedov, a resident of Khrakh-Uba and one of the organizers of the rally, that until now either Dagestani or Russian authorities did nothing to protect the interests of the residents of Dagestan, who live in the territory of Azerbaijan.

On May 23, the villagers plan to hold a repeated action in Rhodope Boulevard in Makhachkala with the aim to draw attention of Russian and Dagestani authorities to their problems.

"With the adoption of the treaty on the state border between Russia and Azerbaijan, our situation has worsened. From the Azerbaijani party we hear threats of deportation; and the Azerbaijani citizenship is enforced. Arrests of villagers have frequented; they are under psychological pressure. Our appeals to the authorities of both countries remain unanswered, the real situation is distorted," says the statement of the organizing committee of the rally.

Mr Mamedov also told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent about the actual ban imposed on Khrakh-Uba villagers to go to Dagestan.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on April 27, Rizvan Gazimagomedov, Deputy Prime Minister of Dagestan, held a sitting on the governmental commission on this issue.

He noted that in order to study and resolve the problems raised by the villagers, the government had set up a commission instructed to bring in - before May 25 - its proposals coordinated with the authorities of the Azerbaijani Republic.

According to Bekmurza Bekmurzaev, the Minister for National Policy, Religious Affairs and External Relations of Dagestan, a delegation of this republic went to Azerbaijan with the aim to study the problem.

"According to the available information, some residents of Khrakh-Uba have sold their homes, property and expressed their desire to stay in Azerbaijan, while others would like to move to the Russian Federation within the Federal Targeted Program 'Resettlement'," said Bekmurzaev.

However, Bakhtiyar Mamedov does not agree with the Minister's conclusions. "Maybe 10-15 intimidated residents really want to stay; however, all the rest - about 600 persons - insist on resettlement to Dagestan," said Mamedov.

In his opinion, the Dagestani authorities have failed to make sufficient efforts yet towards solving the problem.

Let us remind you that according to Bekmurza Bekmurzaev, the Azerbaijani party had offered possible solutions to the problems Khrakh-Uba residents, namely, a temporary or permanent registration in the territory of the Azerbaijani Republic (in this case citizens of Russia lose their right to possess and dispose the land, on which their property is located, - under Azerbaijani legislation, land is not given to foreign citizens).

Another alternative is to take Azerbaijani citizenship, without renouncing Russian citizenship; and the last option is the sale of their homes and property with the aim to move to Russia or stay in Azerbaijan and take its citizenship.