11:23, 22 September 2019

Number of veterans of Afghan War hunger-striking in Makhachkala doubled

Participants of the hunger strike in Makhachkala. Photo by Timur Isaev for the "Caucasian Knot"

On the fifth day of the hunger strike, held in Makhachkala by veterans of the Afghan War, about 20 more protesters have joined the action. The hunger-strikers claim that a thousand veterans were expelled from the housing waiting list under the pretext of losing their documents on participation in the Afghan War.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on September 17, about 20 Afghan War veterans went on an endless hunger strike in a Makhachkala park, demanding the promised housing from the authorities. On the third day of the hunger strike, one of the protesters was hospitalized with his health seriously deteriorated.

According to hunger-strikers, none of the officials came to them during five days.

Selim Selimov, one of the veterans, said that he served in Afghanistan from 1979 to 1981, and has combat awards. Now, he lives with his family of 12 persons in an apartment that has area of 27 square meters.

In total, according to hunger-strikers, there are about 3200 Afghan War veterans in Dagestan. Of them, about 500 people are on the housing waiting list.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on September 21, 2019 at 06:18 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.

Author: Timur Isaev

Source: CK correspondent