Dagestani historian accused of nationalism and fired

Khadji-Murad Donogo, a deputy director of the Dagestani National Museum, was forced to leave his post after the Association of Special Forces Veterans wrote a complaint against him to the head of the republic, Sergey Melikov.

The Association accused Mr Donogo of nationalism.

Khadji-Murad Donogo is a Caucasian scholar, Doctor of Historical Sciences and author of many books, including about the Caucasian War and Imam Shamil. In 2019, his book "Caucasian War Amanat" about the eldest son of Imam Shamil was published in Makhachkala; the book contains previously unpublished documents about his life. Dr Donogo's serious studies about the Caucasian War are in demand by the modern society, his colleagues-historians have pointed out.

The veterans' complaint to Mr Melikov claims that the historian Donogo "travelled to the territory of Chechnya, not controlled by Russian authorities," where he met with "ideologists of Chechen separatism," the "Kavkaz.Realii"* has reported. The complaint also states that Dr Donogo had participated in Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan in conferences of the organizations that pursue an anti-Russian policy and "promote separatism in Northern Caucasus." Veterans have also claimed that the historian's public speeches are propagating nationalism and incitement to separatism, while his scientific work "is aimed at exacerbating interethnic relations and weakening the state in the interests of Russia's foreign enemies."

Khadji-Murad Donogo said that he was forced to write a retirement application on his own free will by the museum bosses, who were also under pressure.