Residents of Novy Kurush report on prosecution of local Salafis

After the mass detention of believers of the Salafi mosque in the village of Novy Kurush of the Khasavyurt District of Dagestan, eight persons were taken into custody. This was reported by local residents.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on September 9, Magomed Khidirov, Imam of the Sufi mosque of Novy Kurush, was killed. Two local residents are put on the wanted list on suspicion of murdering Magomed Khidirov.

In total, according to the villagers, since the murder of Magomed Khidirov, more than 20 persons were detained, and eight of them were arrested. This was told to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent by Alimurad Chelebov, a native of the village of Novy Kurush.

"Most detainees were charged with possession of weapons, and some detainees with aiding and abetting members of illegal armed formations (IAFs)," Alimurad Chelebov has said. He has expressed his confidence in the fact that the weapons were planted on the mosque-goers.

Alimurad Chelebov has confirmed that the Imam of the local Salafi mosque spent several days at the police station. Meanwhile, he is free today. Alimurad found it difficult to clarify the exact number of days spent by the Imam at the police station. According to the villager, the Imam was brought to the police on September 22, and up to September 25, he was actually kept at the police station.

Officials from the Khasavyurt ROVD (District Interior Division) have confirmed to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent the detention of only six residents of the village of Novy Kurush, who were later formally charged. A ROVD official has found it difficult to clarify whether the Imam of the Salafi mosque was among the detained villagers.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.