23:40, 11 April 2011

Rural museum robbed in Dagestan

Memorial complex "Vatan" in the village of Gunib. Photo by the "Caucasian Knot"

37 valuable exhibits have been stolen from the local lore museum located in the Dagestani village of Gunib.

The "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was informed at the Dagestani MIA that the theft was committed at night on April 10. The criminals cut down the lock and broke the door of the museum.

Currently, operative agents and a special commission try to find out what particular exhibits were stolen. Director of the museum Patimat Aliskandieva was out of contact.

According to villagers, the museum kept personal belongings of Imam Shamil, the great Russian surgeon Pirogov, who used to visit Dagestan, and ancient utensils and antiques. The museum was equipped with an alarm signalling system, which failed for unknown reasons.

The village of Gunib often called "an open-air museum." Apart from the above museum, the village houses three memorial complexes devoted to various historical events: "Vatan", "Salanib" and "Andalal".

Author: Timur Isaev

Source: CK correspondent