Journalists remind of Dagestani politicians' practice of using militants

The use of militants in politicians' and businessmen's interests in Dagestan was practiced, journalists have noted in their comments on the arrest of Omar Abdurashidov and Ashikov brothers.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on September 3, Abdurashidov's defence sent a complaint to the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) about torture and threats by law enforcers. The arrest of Raip and Ziyavudin Ashikov, as well as of Omar Abdurashidov, was extended until February 11, 2020.

According to investigators, Abdurashidov handed over 200,000 roubles to Marat Alinchiev, a member of an illegal armed formation (IAF); and he knew that this money would go to financing terrorism. A few days later, Alinchiev was killed in a special operation.

The Ashikov brothers fell victim to confrontation among law enforcers, said Magomed Magomedov, a columnist for the "Chernovik" weekly. There are no convincing proofs that the brothers had financed the armed underground – there are only testimonies that the Ashikovs' money was transferred to militants. "And it turns out that these testimonies were obtained through torture," Mr Magomedov has added.

Supporting the armed underground has been a popular tool in the struggle for power in Dagestan, Milrad Fatullaev, the editor-in-chief of the "Derbent" News Agency, has noted.

Today, there are very few sponsors of Caucasian militants, since all the financial flows are directed at supporting Syrian militants, said Ruslan Gereev, Director of the Centre for Islamic Studies of Northern Caucasus.