News

The government of Chechnya has announced a cash reward of one million roubles to the theologians who prepare ten hafizes (reciters of the Koran by heart). This was told to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent by a source from the Chechen Muftiyat. However, local residents have different opinions about the fact that the authorities pay increased attention to issues of religion.

On May 13, Armenian MPs supported the adoption of the draft law on amendments to the Law "On Funded Pensions" proposed by the government. In the first reading, 68 MPs voted to adopt the draft law. 12 MPs voted against the draft law, and 36 other MPs abstained.

The General Prosecutor's Office (GPO) of Armenia has opened a criminal case on the complaint filed by Argishti Kiviryan, a coordinator of the news agency "Armenia Today", about the police violence against him. The criminal case was transferred to the Special Investigating Service of Armenia for investigation.

Mukhammad Rakhimov, the Chairman of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Stavropol Territory, has appealed to President Vladimir Putin asking him to interfere into the demolition of the unfinished mosque in Pyatigorsk and let Muslims to finish the construction. According to Rakhimov, the conflict around the mosque can provoke unrests in the city.

Emil Mamedov, the head of the NGO "Promoting Democracy", has been detained today in Azerbaijan on suspicion of extortion. His detention occurred after Tofig Gasymov, an employee of the NGO, has testified against his boss.

Today Israfil Gadadov, an advocate of Felix Agaragimov, the Imam of the village of Kurkent, Suleiman-Stalsky District of Dagestan, who was detained on May 6 after a search of his house, has reported to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that he is not allowed to meet his client.

The court sessions, where Said Amirov's case is considered are in fact held behind closed doors, since students of local universities are forced to fill in the seats in the courtroom, Vladimir Postanyuk, an advocate of the dismissed Mayor of Makhachkala, has reported today.

Today, the Yerevan police have detained seven protesters who opposed renaming the Mashtots Mini-Park in honour of the hero of France of Armenian origin Misak Manushyan, said Ani Khachatryan, one of the activists.

The appointment of Sergey Melikov to the post of the presidential envoy in the North-Caucasian Federal District (NCFD) suggests that the Kremlin attaches more importance to the use of force in the region, Russian experts express their consensus opinion.

The Primorye Territorial Court of the Russian Federation has received appeal complaints from five members of the criminal grouping known as "Primorye Guerrillas" against their sentences passed in late April, Nina Bulanova, the press secretary of the court reported on May 13.

A young soldier Alexander Bochkarev, who was recruited from Bashkortostan in 2013, was killed in the city of Novocherkassk, Rostov Region. On May 12, it was reported by the Soldiers' Committee of Bashkortostan.

Today, a murder of a policeman was committed in the Nazran District of Ingushetia. This was reported by the Investigating Department (ID) for Ingushetia of the Investigating Committee of the Russian Federation (ICRF).

In Azerbaijan, the defence lawyers of the journalist and human rights defender Parviz Gashimli have asked the court to acquit their client, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reports. One of them – Elchin Sadygov – said that Gashimli "had fallen victim to intrigues within the power bodies and its policies to suppress the opposition."

In Dagestan, Gadjimurad Ibragimov, whose whereabouts was unknown since May 8, on May 10 has been set free from the police station, the lawyer Sapiyat Magomedova has reported.

Within his two-day visit to Azerbaijan, the French President Francois Hollande has discussed the human rights situation in Azerbaijan with journalists and members of public and oppositional political organizations. The activists believe that the visit of the French President may have an impact on the democratization process in Azerbaijan.

Today, policemen of Khasavyurt detained two local residents, said Aisha Selimkhanova, the spokesperson for the Dagestani Regional Public Organization "Pravozaschita" (Advocacy). A source from the Khasavyurt GOVD (City Interior Division) has confirmed that two women were taken there this morning to check documents, but later were released.

Investigators do not allow the arrested journalist Rauf Mirkadyrov to communicate with his relatives in person and by telephone, though these rights are established by the legislation, said his lawyer Fuad Agaev.

In Dagestan, the advocates of the volunteers of the Charity Fund "Be Merciful", arrested for three days for disobedience to the police, claim abuse of powers by policemen of Khasavyurt towards the girls-volunteers and their advocate Musa Abdulkadirov. They sent this information to the Prosecutor's Offices of Khasavyurt and Dagestan.

Azamat Tseboev, a resident of North Ossetia, whose relatives reported his illegal detention after expiry of his prison term, is finally at large, said the colony administration. Relatives will not challenge the decision of colony bosses to extend Azamat's term of imprisonment.

A source from the administration of Grozny, the capital of Chechnya, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that the city authorities had resettled 60 families from an emergency multi-story building into new flats.