Ramazan Abdulatipov: number of militants in Dagestan makes 30-40 people

In Dagestan, the shadow economy remains the main source of financing for militants. This was declared by the leader of Dagestan.

According to Ramazan Abdulatipov, over the past three years, "the number of terrorist crimes" in the republic has reduced. However, in Dagestan, "there are still many people, who are prone to join militants," the leader of Dagestan has noted.

"If following the results of 2012, we recorded 240 terrorist crimes, then in late 2014, we recorded only 12 such crimes. In Dagestan, there are maximum 30-40 people, who are allegedly involved in the armed underground," the Radio Station "Govorit Moskva" (Moscow Speaking) quotes the leader of Dagestan as stating.

In July 2013, Ramazan Abdulatipov estimated the number of militants in Dagestan as 150-200 people, the RIA "Novosti" reports.

According to the calculations made by the "Caucasian Knot", this year, Dagestan remains the "hottest spot" of Northern Caucasus. During the period from January 1 till November 15, in Dagestan, at least 123 people fell victims to the armed conflict.

The authors of the information and analytical bulletin prepared by the Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial" have associated the decrease in the number of victims to the conflict in Northern Caucasus in 2014 with the departure of some radical people for Syria.

According to Evgeny Sysoev, Deputy Director of the Russian FSB, about 7000 Russian citizens and immigrants from the CIS countries are involved in combat actions in the ranks of the terrorist grouping "Islamic State" (IS).

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