HRC "Memorial" calls on head of Dagestan to intervene in the situation in Untsukul District

The Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial" has asked the Dagestani leader Ramazan Abdulatipov to pay attention to the circumstances of the counterterrorist operation (CTO), conducted in the Untsukul District of Dagestan, and, in particular, the events in the settlement of Vremenny, and take measures to protect the rights of affected civilians.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the special operation underway in the village of Vremenny adjacent to the village of Gimry was started on September 18. According to the villagers, the school and the kindergarten in the village do not work, the local residents face shortage of food products, and the law enforcers destroy farm buildings.

The appeal of the HRC "Memorial" emphasizes that "illegal armed formations (IAFs) have found shelter in the territory of the Untsukul District," and the "CTO regime has lasted there for seven months."

At the same time, human rights defenders have noted that even the right goal "cannot serve as an excuse for illegal and violent actions of law enforcers." As an example, they draw attention to the situation in the village of Maidanskoe in July this year.

Actions of power agents "may tune the civilian population against law enforcement bodies," rights defenders believe; however, they emphasize that so far it is not possible to check local residents' complaints, because power agents would not let observers into the settlement.