In Dagestan, journalist Khanmagomedov states attempted kidnapping

In the morning on September 1, in the city of Dagestanskie Ogni, an attack was committed on Magomed Khanmagomedov, the editor of the newspaper "Ploschad Svobody" (Freedom Square). It was an attempted kidnapping, the journalist told reporters.

Mr Khanmagomedov told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that he came out of the house in the morning and headed for the road aiming to go to work. "My newspaper is published in the city of Derbent; and I usually take a fixed-route taxi to get there. At about eight in the morning, as usual, I left home. I had to walk for some 30-40 meters to the highway. At this point, a Lada Priora car blocked my way. Three men in masks and camouflage jumped out of it. They ran at me, and I began running away calling for help. One of the attackers caught up with me and struck me on the back with his fist. Several persons ran out of the houses and began crying aloud; then, those in masks got back into the car and drove away," said the journalist.

Khanmagomedov believes that most likely the attack had to do with his professional activities.

"At present, we've published the second issue of the newspaper 'Ploschad Svobody', where we write about the state of the city of Derbent. It is degrading; it has no proper roads; we can state that the system of municipal utilities doesn't work; and the transport issues are not addressed. This is what we are writing about. And, of course, the city administration doesn't like it," said the journalist.