Dagestan debates on shooting down peaceful meeting

A roundtable was held in Dagestan on observance of human rights in the Republic with participation of Farid Babaev, Chairman of the Dagestan Branch of the "Yabloko" Party, Lev Ponomaryov, head of the Public Movement "For Human Rights," Upumazil Omarova, Ombudswoman at the President of Dagestan, members of the Human Rights Society "Memorial" and Public Chamber of Dagestan, representatives of public organizations and residents of the Dokuzparinskiy District of Dagestan.

One of the main topics discussed by the participants of the event was investigation into shooting down of a peaceful meeting by representatives of law enforcement bodies last April in the Dokuzparinskiy District of Dagestan.

Alikhan Rizaev, a resident of the Dokuzparinskiy District, informed that "the law enforcement bodies have confirmed the plunder of 16 million roubles committed by Administration Head Kerimkhan Abasov. However, no measures have been taken on this fact or on other violations of the law committed by the District Head."

Lev Ponomaryov has supported A. Rizaev and added that several criminal cases had been initiated against Abasov, but the latter hampers the investigation. In particular, Mr Ponomaryov has reminded that during the March elections in the Dokuzparinskiy District, the OMON (Special Militia) interfered into people's declaration of will by blocking entrances into polling stations."