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Alexandra Pakhmutova, Andrei Eshpay, Alexander Sokolov and other famous Russian composers and musicologists have sent a letter in defence of the current national anthem of Dagestan to the head of the republic Ramzan Abdulatipov, who had offered to adopt a new version of the anthem.

The construction of Olympic facilities on artificial embankments caused a permanent threat of flooding in the Sochi micro-district named Mirny, say locals. The Sochi Mayoralty says that they prepare compensations to owners of damaged houses.

The verdict passed in the case of beating up Pavel Solovyov, a builder of Olympic facilities in Sochi, where an ex-policeman Sergey Kuznetsov was the defendant, has been appealed against, said the Solovyov's advocate.

Ecologist Evgeny Vitishko has filed a complaint to the Prosecutor's Office of the Tambov Region. In his complaint, the ecologist has pointed out to themassive violations ofthe prisoners' rights. This was reported by the pressservice of the "Ecological Watch for Northern Caucasus" (EcoWatch).

On June 29, the fasting of Ramadan was started by most Muslims of the southern regions of Russia, including Dagestan, Ingushetia, Kabardino-Balkaria, Chechnya, and other regions.

Azerbaijan still faces problems with freedom of speech, barriers for activities of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and political prisoners. This was stated by rapporteurs at the special hearings organized under the 23rd session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA).

In Sochi, 20 persons took part in the seminar "Fundamentals of legal security for activists, journalists, and bloggers" held on June 28. The event was held with the support of the interregional association of the human rights organizations "AGORA" and the Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial".

The checkpoint "Gukovo" in the Rostov Region, which was hit by a shell from the territory of Ukraine, had to evacuate about 30 citizens of Ukraine, said Andrei Belyaev, the head of the Rostov Customs.

Rashidkhan Djambalov, accused of killing a taxi driver, has disagreed with the decision of jurymen that he was guilty, tried to commit suicide. It is assumed that the case will be sentenced on August 6.

The region is forming Cossack squadrons to protect the TACs (temporary accommodation centres) and camps of refugees from Ukraine; a respective agreement has been reached between local officials and the Cossack Society named "All-Great Don Army". Cossacks already guarding the TACs, said the spokeswoman for the Society.

Today, the 23rd Session of the Parliamentary Assembly (PA) of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) opened in Baku; and the agenda of its plenary session has a draft resolution on Russia's violation of Helsinki Principles.

Three persons were liberated from labour slavery in one of the brick factories in Dagestan. The young people have spent different periods from one week to six months in the labour slavery. This was reported by the public movement "Alternativa".

In Georgia, most political analysts questioned by the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent applaud the signing of the Association Agreement with the EU. Meanwhile, they have noted a number of shortcomings committed by the Georgian Government.

Sirazhdin Velikhanov, who was killed on June 27 during the special operation conducted in the Khiv District of Dagestan, was a relative of Gasan Abdullaev, the leader of the "Southern" militant grouping. This was reported by the Investigating Committee of the Russian Federation (ICRF).

North Ossetia needs to open an additional temporary accommodation centre (TAC) for 100 persons to accommodate refugees. This was declared by an official from the Ministry for Emergencies (MfE). Refugees from the eastern regions of Ukraine, who have already arrived in North Ossetia, face problems with placing their children in pre-school and educational institutions.

At present, the International Crisis Group (ICG) has no reasons to believe that the decision of the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) to withdraw registration of the Russian ICG's Office had been made for political grounds. This was announced by Varvara Pakhomenko, an ICG expert.

At the pleadings, public prosecutor asked to sentence Said Amirov, Mayor of Makhachkala, temporary dismissed from office and accused of plotting a terror act, to unprecedented punishment for top-ranking officials in recent history of Russia. This opinion was expressed by political analysts questioned by the "Caucasian Knot".

On June 25, Rodion Chepel, a journalist of the "Dozhd" TV Channel, was detained in the Rostov Region, while he was preparing a report for editorial assignment. However, several minutes after his detention, policemen let him go away. This was reported by the journalist himself.

Tonight, in the village of Shamilkala of the Untsukul District of Dagestan, a local resident, who used to be a businessman and a follower of Salafism, was killed. This was reported by the Investigating Department of the Investigating Committee of the Russian Federation (ICRF) for Dagestan. Till present, investigators do not report on the motives of the crime.

At present, 111 refugees from the eastern regions of Ukraine are accommodated in the territory of Dagestan. Of them, 20 refugees have filed applications for temporary asylum in the republic. This was reported by Radjab Abdulatipov, Chief of the Federal Migration Service (FMS) for the Republic of Dagestan. Thus, according to the official, the period of their stay in the region will not be restricted.