DFWatch (5–18 September 2015)

Daghestan
On September 13 local elections took place in the republic. The Party of Russia’s Veterans earned 69% of votes in the city of Buynaksk, while United Russia earned 66% of votes in the city of Dagestanskiye Ogni, 62% in Kaspiysk, 37% in Kizlyar, 69% in Yuzhno-Sukhokumsk, and 60% in Makhachkala. The low result of United Russia in Kizlyar can be connected with the criminal cases against Sagid Murtazaliyev and Andrey Vinogradov.
Based on reporting by kavkaz-uzel.ru and izbirkom.dagestan.ru.

On September 9 imam Magomed Khidirov was murdered in front of the mosque in the village of Novyy Kurush. Investigators speculate that his religious activity might have been the motive behind the killing. Representatives of security structures suspect the new leader of the Khasavyurt wing of insurgency, Valid Motsayev, of the killing.
Based on reporting by kavkaz-uzel.ru and onkavkaz.com.

According to the security structures, a bomb-making laboratory was destroyed in the village of Maydanskoye in Untsukul region. It is suspected that the laboratory is related to the death of 27-year-old native of village Balanakhi identified as O. Sharaputdinov, who supposedly died in the explosion of a self-made explosive device.
Based on reporting by kavkaz-uzel.ru.

According to locals, security forces ran an operation of inspecting houses in the village of Sogratl in Gunib region as a part of an anti-terrorist operation in the area. The inspections are mostly aimed at young people suspected of being part of the insurgency as well as the local Salafi community.
Based on reporting by kavkaz-uzel.ru.
Chechnya
On September 13 elections to the city council of Gudermes took place in the republic. According to the official information, United Russia party earned 77% of votes. The turnout was 76%. Inhabitants of Gudermes reported that employees of the public sector were pressurised to take part in the elections.
Based on reporting by kavkaz-uzel.ru and chechen.izbirkom.ru.

Seven inhabitants of Vedeno region of Chechnya were arrested under suspicion of attempting to join the Islamic State as well as recruiting youth to join the insurgency in Syria. According to local security structures, all arrested are young people in their twenties. According to an employee of the local Ministry of Internal Affairs, one of the arrested received religious education in Syria several years ago.
Based on reporting by kavkaz-uzel.ru.

Ramzan Kadyrov’s appeal to the decision of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk court deeming book Supplication (dua) to God: its meaning and place in Islam an extremist material was send to the court. The book consists of translations of chosen ayat from the Quran and quotes from Prophet Muhammad.
Based on reporting by kavkaz-uzel.ru and onkavkaz.com.

Islamic shops in the city of Gudermes were suspected to a series of controls in search of publications included in the federal list of extremist materials. In several shops books and brochures included in the list as well as audio and video materials of ‘extremist character’ were confiscated. Shop owners were quoted as saying that there is no clarity in which materials exactly are banned. Shops, which had publications confiscated, were subjected to fines.
Based on reporting by kavkaz-uzel.ru.

The High Court of Chechnya ruled illegal the decision of Russia’s Investigative Committee not to investigate the special operation of Stavropol Krai’s security structures in Chechnya in April. Inhabitant of Chechnya, Dzhambulat Dadayev, who was suspected of shooting towards a businessman in Stavropol Krai was killed during the operation in Grozny. Following it, Ramzan Kadyrov authorised Chechen security to shoot at representatives of any armed officers, which didn’t agree their operation on the Chechen territory in advance.
Based on reporting by kavkaz-uzel.ru.
Ingushetia
On September 13 local elections took place in the republic. According to the official information, the turnout was 75%. United Russia earned 79% in Magas, 79% in Karabulak, 74% in Malgobek, and 77% in Nazran. The other parties taking part in the elections were the Communist Party, Just Russia, and Pravoye Delo (Right Cause), the Liberal-Democratic Party, and Patriots of Russia. No violations were reported during the voting.
Based on reporting by kavkaz-uzel.ru and ingush.izbirkom.ru.

President Vladimir Putin met Ingush leader, Yunus-bek Yevkurov, on September 14 in Magas and on September 17 in Sochi. President of Chechnya Ramzan Kadyrov participated in the latter meeting. According to official information, during Sochi meeting the presidents discussed exclusively perspectives for economic development of the North Caucasian region. Personal conflict between Mr. Yevkurov and Mr. Kadyrov including, among others, the Chechen territorial claims to Sunzha region of Ingushetia, as well as the recent statements Mr. Kadyrov made in support of North Caucasian officials with pending criminal cases were allegedly not on the agenda. In Magas Mr. Putin praised the growth of industry, agriculture, and population in Ingushetia. At the same time, he pointed out that Ingushetia’s economy is still based on federal subsidies and is plagued by high levels of unemployment, high infant mortality, deficit of qualified medical personnel, and acute lack of places in kindergartens.
Based on reporting by kavkaz-uzel.ru and onkavkaz.com.
North Ossetia
Tamerlan Aguzarov from United Russia won the presidential elections in North Ossetia–Alania with overwhelming 97%. He was elected by members of the North Ossetian parliament from among three candidates selected by the president of the Russian Federation. He succeeded Taymuraz Mamsurov who kept the post for ten years. Mr. Aguzarov nominated Vyacheslav Bitarov as a new prime minister. The nomination will be considered by the local parliament. Mr. Mamsurov was in turn nominated for position of representative of North Ossetia to the Federation Council.
Based on reporting by kavkaz-uzel.ru and izbirkom.ru.

Stavropol Krai
On September 13 local elections took place in the krai. According to the official information, the turnout was 35%. United Russia party won elections in 45 electoral districts out of 53.
Based on reporting by kavkaz-uzel.ru and izbirkom.ru.
Kabarda–Balkaria
A regional organisation Ochag (‘Hearth’) was established in the republic. Its aim is to organise help for the Circassian repatriates from Syria, including help with applying for Russian visas and citizenship. The organisation will continue the work of organisation Peryt (‘Leader’) that was abolished in early 2014. According to official data, as of 1 May 2015 1205 Circassians from Syria resided in the republic. In 2014 six people received Russian citizenship, while in 2015 — twelve.
Based on reporting by kavkaz-uzel.ru.
Karachay–Circassia
On September 13 local elections took place in the republic. According to the official information, the turnout was 55%. United Russia earned 70% of votes and won majority in all electoral districts. President Rashid Temrezov nominated Ruslan Kazanokov to head the republic’s government.
Based on reporting by kavkaz-uzel.ru and izbirkom.ru.

Governor of Khabez region, Rauf Arashukov, who recently resigned from the post as a head of local administration, returned to his office. Observers point out to the displays of friendship between Mr. Arashukov and Ramzan Kadyrov as well as Mr Kadyrov’s defence of Mr. Arashukov following his resignation.
Based on reporting by onkavkaz.ru.
Adygea
Vice-president of the International Circassian Association and chairman of Adyge Khase of Adygea, Adam Bogus, announced the end of his public activity. Mr. Bogus pointed out that he was summoned for questioning by the FSB before every important organisational meeting of Circassian organisations in the North Caucasus as well as experienced pressures connected to his activism.
Based on reporting by kavkaz-uzel.ru.

According to official information since the beginning of conflicts in Ukraine and Syria, Adygea received 6 thousand Ukrainian and 800 Syrian refugees. The Ukrainian refugees come from the east of the country. The Syrian refugees are mostly members of Syria’s Circassian diaspora.
Based on reporting by kavkaz-uzel.ru.
Krasnodar Krai
Beniamin Kondratyev from United Russia won the early governor elections in Krasnodar Krai with 84% of votes. He succeeded Aleksandr Tkachov who kept the post for fourteen years. The turnout was 46%.
Based on reporting by kavkaz-uzel.ru.

Four parties: the Communist Party of the Russian Federation (KPRF), the Liberal-Democratic Party of Russia, Rodina (‘Fatherland’), and Yabloko (‘Apple’) protested violations during the local governor elections. According to the KPRF, the turnout was higher than officially announced and many members of electoral commissions belonged to the United Russia party. The KPRF’s candidate Yuriy Dzaganiya called for creation of new electoral commissions and new elections.

Based on reporting by kavkaz-uzel.ru.

Activist Sergey Titarenko was accused of extremism by Krasnodar Krai of FSB and fined 100 thousand roubles for reposting a text Vladimir Putin titled ‘No Dictator — No Problem’ on social network VKontakte. The Human Rights Centre Memorial considers Mr Titarenko a political prisoner. Human rights defenders connect the prosecution to Mr Titarenko’s wish to participate in the ‘March for federalisation of Kuban’ that in the end never took place.
Based on reporting by kavkaz-uzel.ru.