144 Azerbaijanis return to homeland from Dagestan camp

A total of 144 Azerbaijanis have left the "Ogonyok" camp located in the Kaitag District of Dagestan, the regional branch of the Russian Ministry for Emergencies (MfE) has reported. Apart from the camp tenants, about 500 other citizens are waiting for crossing the Russian-Azerbaijani border in Dagestan, a human rights defender asserts.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Azerbaijani citizens wishing to return home are accommodated in the above "Ogonyok" children's camp.

Now, there are 12 persons there; the latest departure from the camp was on September 6-7, when 144 Azerbaijani citizens left it, a source from the Dagestani branch of the Russian MfE told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Apart from the tenants of the "Ogonyok" camp, at least 500 other people are waiting in Dagestan for crossing the Russian-Azerbaijani border. The conclusion was made based on the received information, said Afig Allakhverdiev, the head of the BIZ (WE) Fund for Support and Development of Socially Significant Programmes and Projects. "Some of them are renting apartments for a very long time; others live in hotels," he told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent, adding that he received requests for help in buying medicines and foodstuffs.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on September 18, 2021 at 09:09 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.