Dagestan leader accuses of “international terrorism”

Photo: Dagestan leader Sergei Melikov via Telegram/via Reuters/File photo.

State media quoted Sergei Melikov as saying that 22 people were killed in the June 23 attack, which targeted churches and synagogues.

Western security experts say the attacks are evidence that Russia, while focused on the war in Ukraine, is also facing a growing problem of violence by Islamist militias in the country. But Mr Melikov insists the attacks are coming from outside.

“The main threatening factor affecting the situation in the country continues to be the growing scale of activity by international terrorist organizations,” he was quoted as saying by state media agency RIA.

He claimed there was direct and indirect evidence showing the role of “direct enemies” in the attacks, but did not specify who he believed was behind the attacks or provide information about the evidence.

“And in this regard, there is no need for trainers from the West or other countries to be present in Dagestan, because today the agents and leaders of this terrorist organization use the internet, social networks and can influence the training and ideology of individuals who can commit these crimes.”

The recent attacks in Dagestan come three months after a group of gunmen stormed a theater in Moscow, firing automatic weapons and setting the building on fire, killing 145 people, an attack for which the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility.

RIA quoted a Dagestan Muslim cleric as saying in a meeting with Melikov that a religious decree, or fatwa, would be issued banning the wearing of the niqab. Some reports after the June 23 attack also said the gunmen had planned to escape while wearing the niqab.

Cleric Akhmed Abdulayev declared that the niqab would be banned until peace was restored in the region.

Nguyen Quang Minh (According to Reuters)

Source: https://www.nguoiduatin.vn/lanh-dao-dagestan-cao-buoc-khung-bo-quoc-te-a671076.html