Appointed to Ministerial Role in Daghestan: Individual Linked to Execution of Ukrainian Prisoners of War
In a move that has raised eyebrows and sparked concerns, Temirlan Abutalimov, a Hero of Russia, has been appointed as the acting Minister for National Policy and Religious Affairs in the republic of Daghestan. The appointment, made by the head of the republic, Sergei Melikov, on Tuesday, comes amidst allegations of Abutalimov's involvement in the execution of Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs).
Abutalimov, born in the village of Temiraul in Daghestan's Khasavyurt district, graduated from Daghestan State University in 2019. Before his military service, he worked as an investigator in the Khasavyurt police department. During his internship, he spent more than a year studying public administration, working in government bodies, meeting with relatives of soldiers, engaging with public organizations, and traveling to municipalities. He also participated in the presidential programme Time of Heroes, launched by Russian President Vladimir Putin, which aims to prepare participants for careers in public service and government.
However, the appointment of Abutalimov as the acting Minister for National Policy and Religious Affairs in Daghestan has been met with criticism. Ukraine's Defence Intelligence (HUR) has named him as one of five commanders involved in the execution of four Ukrainian POWs in May 2024 near the village of Robotyne. The accusation against Abutalimov is based on intercepted radio communications. Drone footage published at the time shows four men, reportedly Ukrainian soldiers, surrendering unarmed with their hands raised. The captors, believed to be Russian soldiers, force the Ukrainians to lie face down before shooting them at close range.
Melikov, in a statement, described an attack in June 2024 on synagogues and churches in Daghestan, which he described as aimed at creating a religious divide. He stated that one of the main challenges of the ministry is constant attempts by outside hostile structures to destroy interfaith and interethnic harmony in Daghestan.
The appointment of Abutalimov as the acting Minister for National Policy and Religious Affairs in Daghestan raises concerns about the independence of the region's journalism and the potential threat to independent voices. The article encourages readers to join the community and help push back against hardliners in the region.
It is important to note that the person accused by Ukraine of being involved in the execution of Ukrainian prisoners is Ramzan Kadyrov, the Chechen leader. However, his appointment as the head of the republic of Dagestan is not explicitly confirmed in the search results, only his role as Chechen leader is mentioned.
The future of journalism in the Caucasus region appears grim due to the increasing pressure on independent voices. The Melikov administration announced these details on their Telegram channel. As the situation unfolds, it is crucial to maintain a vigilant eye on the developments in Daghestan and the Caucasus region as a whole.
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