Local official killed in Starye AtagiRuslan Isayev, North Caucasus – On October 8 deputy head of the local administration Ruslan Dzhumayev was killed in Starye Atagi, a village south of the capital Grozny. The attack also claimed lives of Ruslan's brother Said Dzhumayev as well as an old man living in the close neighbourhood. The villagers link Ruslan Dzhumayev's death with recent "mopping-up" operations carried out by Russian soldiers in Starye Atagi and claim that Ruslan Dzhumayev was killed for his co-operation with Russian military and law enforcement agencies.
Large-scale "special operations" in Starye Atagi, Novye Atagi and Chiri-Yurt took place between September 26 and October 7 with a plenty of villagers, hundreds of them only in Starye Atagi, undergoing "filtration" procedures. So far, as many as 20 people of Starye Atagi have remained under custody of the Russian army. Moreover, three men, namely Timur Satayev, Musa Sadayev and Yakub Abuyev were killed in the operation.
It has been alleged that Russian soldiers seized about 50 cars and lorries owned by Starye Atagi villagers. The local also claim that identification checks and inspections in their village were accompanied by robberies with clothes and home equipment being transported to the Khankala military base and in the direction of Shali, where Russian forces are currently located. The items were later reportedly distributed among Russian officers' wives.
In Chiri-Yurt Russian soldiers burnt the local mosque and a muslim school where the Coran and the Arabic language were taught. Besides, nine people were arrested there for alleged participation in military activities.
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