Dagestan: fighters in masks break into rights defender's apartment

On May 8, OMON (Special Militia) fighters illegally rushed in Makhachkala into the apartment of Albina Magomedova, a member of the board of the regional public association "Pravozaschita" (Legal Assistance). This was reported by the leaders of the association; while the MIA of Dagestan failed to explain the reason of the special operation.

"On May 8, 2010, at 4:30 a.m. mornings, I woke up, as someone was clapping on the door with some metal object; when I came up to the door, I saw through the door eye people in masks. Then, I tried to open the door, but it was blocked from outside. I started asking them who they were and what they wanted, but they ordered me to keep silent and not to interfere, otherwise they'd shoot at the door," Ms Magomedova said.

"I began saying that they were mistaken, and asked them to get in and check who was inside, but they told me: "Stop moving, get into the corner, if you don't want to feel pain," said the human rights defender.

The eyewitnesses of the incident assert that tanks started to drive to the house, and a sniper appeared on the roof of the opposite building with his rifle aimed at Magomedova's window.

According to her story, she had to call her relatives - mother and sister - and tell them that a special operation had begun in her house.

The mother said that when she arrived with another daughter, they were not let in to Albina's flat. Then, she asked to take away the child, at least. According to Magomedova's mother, the OMON fighters placed her and sister in front of them as a live shield and after a long persuasion allowed them to take away Albina's daughter of three.

The on duty officer at the MIA of Dagestan refused to explain a situation. The prosecutor's office was also inaccessible for comments.