Parishioners of mosque in Upper Kazanischa detained in Dagestan

This morning the law enforcement agents of Buinaksk District brought 12 parishioners of a local mosque to the OVD (Interior Division) station, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was told by Magomed Magomedov, a resident of the village of Upper Kazanischa of Buinaksk District. According to him, it happened after the debate on religious issues in the mosque.

According to Magomed Magomedov, today policemen arrived at the village to make address rounds. "Then, 12 countrymen were brought, without any reasons being given, to the District OVD station," the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was told by the resident.

He supposes that the detention might be caused by the recent conflict between the detainees and the supporters of Arslan-ali Gamzatov, a local sheikh. "The other day there was a small controversy on purely religious issues at the mosque. The opposing sides did not reach understanding, and, probably, a Gamzatov's supporter reported to the police," believes Magomed Magomedov.

According to him, the detainees are practicing Muslims who do not recognize the sheikh and some local traditions; they have not been registered by the local police.

The standby unit of the OVD of Buinaksk refused to comment. The "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was told by the press service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Dagestan that they know nothing about the incident.