10:09, 28 May 2019

Eyewitnesses tell about law enforcers' raid near "Tangim" Mosque in Makhachkala

The "Tangim" Mosque in Makhachkala. Photo by Magomed Akhmedov for the "Caucasian Knot"

About 50 law enforcers have conducted their raids near the "Tangim" Mosque in Makhachkala. They claimed that they were conducting the "Fake license plates" operation by inspecting cars and their owners.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that parishioners of the above mosque complained about regular raids undertaken by law enforcers. After on March 12, 2019, believers turned to the prosecutor's office, raids were suspended, but on April 26 they resumed, said Asadulla Aliev, a local resident. On May 4, law enforcers detained two worshipers after the prayer.

On May 27, law enforcers held another raid, told Idris Yusupov, a journalist.

According to Ruslan, a mosque parishioner, law enforcers demanded his car registration certificate and driver's license. In his opinion, raids are aimed to intimidate parishioners.

Rights defenders treat detentions of parishioners at the mosque as a form of pressure on the Salafi community of Dagestan and a catalyst for the radicalization of its members.

At least 15 law enforcers were near the mosque and carried out a raid of search for fake car licence number plates, said Zakir, a mosque parishioner.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on May 28, 2019 at 03:18 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.

Author: Magomed Akhmedov

Source: CK correspondent