Russia: Daghestan district governor arrested for alleged links with criminal group
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 29 July 2015 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Russia: Daghestan district governor arrested for alleged links with criminal group, 29 July 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/55ee96332b.html [accessed 21 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
July 29, 2015
A district governor in Russia's volatile North Caucasus region of Daghestan has been arrested on suspicion of financing a criminal group.
Moscow's Basmanny district court ruled on July 29 that Andrei Vinogradov must stay in pretrial detention until at least September 28.
Vinogradov, along with Daghestani lawmaker Sagid Murtazaliyev and local resident Omar Asadulayev, are suspected of financially supporting a gang involved in a series of serious high-profile crimes, including murders of local officials.
Vinogradov pleaded not guilty at the hearing.
Murtazaliyev and Asadulayev are currently abroad and their whereabouts are unknown, Russian Investigative Committee spokesman Vladimir Markin said on July 29.
Daghestan is beset by violence linked to an Islamist insurgency rooted in two post-Soviet separatist wars in neighboring Chechnya as well as organized crime, business turf wars, political disputes, and clan rivalry.
Moderate Muslims, journalists, police, and officials are regularly targeted in attacks.
Based on reporting by Rapsinews.ru and Interfax
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
