In Dagestan, 16 protesters against construction of water intake station sentenced to administrative arrest

On December 12, the Magaramkent District Court in Dagestan has sentenced to arrest 16 detained participants of a protest action against the construction of water intake station on the Samur River.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on December 11, in the village of Samur of the Magaramkent District, an unsanctioned protest action was held. After a fight with policemen, 19 protesters were brought to the local police station.

"This morning, the Court has sentenced 16 detainees to arrests. Magomedanifa Beibutov, the main initiator and organizer of the protest action, the deputy of the regional assembly of deputies, was sentenced to 10-day arrest, and the other protestors were sentenced to 5-day arrests," the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was told by Fazil Tagirmirzoev, a resident of the village of Samur.

According to him, three persons, who were injured during the fight with the policemen, got appropriate medical treatment, and none of them were hospitalized.

Local residents oppose the construction of the water intake station, since they believe it will negatively affect the ecology of the area. Leaders of the administration of the Magaramkent District argue that the construction of the water intake station does not threaten local nature.