In Dagestan, refusal to register CPRF candidate turned into skirmish

On August 22, as a result of a fire opened on supporters of the CPRF (Communist Party of the Russian Federation) candidate in the Babayurt District of Dagestan one person was lost, two militiamen and two locals were wounded. With a demand to punish all those guilty over 200 persons blocked the "Kavkaz" Highway and de-blocked it only after interference of the First Vice-Premier Rizvan Kurbanov.

When the casualty's relatives tried again to approach the building of the administration, a fight burst out with OMON (special-purpose militia) agents, as Mairbek Agayev, editor of the information and politics section of the Dagestan-based weekly "Chernovik", told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

"20 supporters of Eldar Karagishiev – a candidate at the elections from the CPRF – wanted to enter the building of the district administration and clear out, why the documents for participation in elections were not taken from this candidate," Mr Agayev said. "They were met by 15 young men with automatic firearms. A conflict burst out; they started pushing the supporters out and opened fire into the air."

"At one moment it all turned out into fire at people. They shot dead the candidate's uncle and wounded three more persons. The gunmen were securities of Dzhambulat Salavov, the head of the Khasavyurt District," said the journalist.
So far, there are no comments from Adilkhan Ganakayev, head of the Babayurt District, same as from local law enforcement bodies.