Scuffle burst out in City Assembly of Derbent

On September 29, a sitting of the City Assembly of Derbent (Dagestan) turned into a scuffle between a Mayor's security and a deputy. The cause of the conflict was in the attempt of the security to remove media workers out of the hall, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was told by Magomed Khanmagomedov, a journalist of the "Chernovik" newspaper.

"The conflict stemmed from disagreements," the journalist believes, "between the City Mayor Imam Yaraliev and deputies about the candidature for the post of deputy chairman of the City Assembly. The Mayor, judging by the actions of his security, didn't want to make them public."

Magomed Khanmagomedov said, with reference to the deputies-participants in the incident, "The head of the Mayor's securities began, allegedly on the order of his boss, to squeeze the local press out of the hall."

"Selim Akhmedov, Chairman of the Assembly, said that it was he 'who invited them, the session is open, so, let them stay.' But the security insisted. Deputy Ali Ibragimov stood up for reporters. After a verbal skirmish, the security punched the deputy in the chest and tore his shirt; the latter answered with a slap on the face, and a fight broke out," said the journalist.

According to his story, "other MPs interfered to defend their colleagues." When they were separated, Akhmedov and his comrades left the hall in protest, Mr Khanmagomedov explained.

The deputy Mirza Saidov said that earlier the deputies had proposed Nariman Musaev, Director General of the building materials factory, to the post of Deputy Speaker. However, the Mayor had his own candidacy, whose name was not announced.

Because of the incident, the deputies failed to discuss another contentious issue: where to spend 42 million roubles - the balance of the city budget. It was decided to postpone the session until October 3.