22:39, 12 May 2014

"Pravozaschita" activist reports detention of two Khasavyurt women

Today, policemen of Khasavyurt detained two local residents, said Aisha Selimkhanova, the spokesperson for the Dagestani Regional Public Organization "Pravozaschita" (Advocacy).

A source from the Khasavyurt GOVD (City Interior Division) has confirmed that two women were taken there this morning to check documents, but later were released.

Meanwhile, Anvar Shamkhalov, a resident of Khasavyurt, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that today a mass delivery of Khasavyurt adherents of Salafism to the GOVD continued.

"They detain both men and women. If you wear beard without a moustache, it means that you're a Salafi; then, you need to be checked. A girl in hijab or niqab also falls under suspicion automatically. Although people have done nothing illegal – they are detained purely because of their religion," said Shamkhalov.

Today, according to his data, at least 15 people were taken to the Khasavyurt GOVD. However, in conversation with the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent GOVD officers denied mass detentions of Salafis.

Source: CK correspondent