Northern Caucasus-2013: independent experts sum up the year (video)

The change of power in Dagestan and Kabardino-Balkaria; refusal from direct elections of heads of most of the regions; termination of the militants' adaptation commission and suspension of dialogue among different currents of Islam in Dagestan – these events, as the most significant for Northern Caucasus in 2013, as of December 24, were assessed by the experts dealing with the region. They agree in the opinion that the abrupt transition from attempts of a civil dialogue to violent methods of addressing problems is associated with the upcoming Olympics in Sochi.

Talking about positive trends in Northern Caucasus, Ekaterina Sokiryanskaya, the head of the office of the International Crisis Group in Russia, has marked a start of the campaign against corruption and crime in the region. According to her version, initially the campaign inspired quite a lot of optimism.

"I was impressed that Abdulatipov (on January 28, 2013, by a presidential decree Ramazan Abdulatipov was appointed to be the acting head of the Republic of Dagestan; and on September 8, 2013, he was elected to the post of the head of Dagestan, – note of the "Caucasian Knot"), apparently with the support of the federal centre, stated the need to dismantle Dagestani clans, cleanse the power of criminals and whitewash the economy. Unfortunately, now, a year later, we understand that this campaign was launched but does not continue," said Sokiryanskaya.

She added that Northern Caucasus sees curtailing of "soft measures". Thus, in Ekaterina's opinion, after the change of power in Dagestan security forces are now using more aggressive methods in fighting the militants. The militants' adaptation commissions have actually ceased to exist not only in Dagestan, but also in other republics of the Caucasus.