19:01, 14 February 2016

Leaders of Dagestani truckers report about checks on extremism

The police questioned leaders of truck drivers from 14 regions of Dagestan, truck drivers report.

The "Caucasian Knot" has informed that on January 30, Dagestani truck drivers reported on cases of summoning to police stations for talks after the decision to create in Dagestan an association of truck drivers.

Truckers from regions of Russia, including Krasnodar Territory, Dagestan, Volgograd and Rostov Regions, stood against the introduction of the "Platon" system of charging trucks for driving on federal significance highways. On December 9, 2015, drivers decided to create an all-Russian Association. Dagestan has become one of the most active regions in the campaign against the "Platon" system. At the end of December 2015, local truckers decided to temporarily curtail their protests.

According to truck drivers, as on February 14, leaders of truckers from 14 districts of Dagestan are interrogated. During interrogations, "policemen ask them whether truck drivers support extremist positions," truck drivers claim.

"I was interrogated by an investigator from the criminal investigation department in Khasavyurt. He asked me if we were going to hold illegal rallies. I said that no one should participate in illegal actions. And finally, I've signed a document stating ... 'I hereby confirm that this is the true and correct record of my statement.' I was told: 'We are afraid that extremist elements may join you.' They do not realize that truckers and extremists are completely different people," the "Chernovik" (Draft) quotes today Marat Tsoraev, one of the leaders of the Dagestani truck drivers, as stating.

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