Ramzan Kadyrov has stood up for the head of the republican branch of the Pension Fund Sagid Murtazalieva, the pursuit of which may be the next step in cleaning criminalized clan elite of Dagestan. Experts believe that the interest of the federal security forces to Murtazaliyeva if not an indirect attack on Ramzan Kadyrov, was seen by many as a signal to the Chechen leader. Kadyrov called Murtazalieva “true patriot».
Gaining momentum proceedings against Sagid Murtazalieva, influential Dagestani politics, the former head of the Kizlyar district, and his protege – 33-year-old Andrei Vinogradov, who led the district in 2010. They are suspected of financing of terrorism and involvement in the murders.
The arrest Vinogradov took place in the best traditions of the Caucasus. Early in the morning of July 27 was declared a CTO, the FSB special forces stormed the house Vinogradov, disarm his guard and, according to some media reports, employees of Kizlyar police department tried to resist. After that Vinogradov quickly flown by helicopter to the Ossetian town of Mozdok, and then to Moscow.
In the houses of three defendants – Vinogradov Murtazalieva and the deputy of the People’s Assembly of Dagestan Omar Asadalueva – searches were conducted.
The criminal case on which they are, were initiated into the killings in 2010, chief operating gas service Kizlyar district of “Dagestangazservis,” deputy chief of the center to counter extremism in the Interior Ministry of the Republic of Dagestan and the attempted murder of the deputy head of the administration of Kizlyar, the press service of the UK. In addition, they are suspected of terrorist financing. The case investigates the General Directorate of the Investigative Committee of Russia.
July 29 Basmanny Court of Moscow ruled to arrest Vinogradov two months. Murtazaliyev, according to investigators, is hiding in Dubai. According to the press service of the Pension Fund, Sagid Murtazaliyev is on sick leave since I had surgery after ligament damage. SC announced its intention to put him on the international wanted list.
At the same time residents of Kizlyar gathered gathering in support Murtazalieva and Vinogradov, called the prosecution a political order.
According to the newspaper ” Caucasian Knot “, attended by about 2 thousand. people. “Statistically, it’s a lot – says senior researcher RANHiGS Constantine Kazenin. – On the one hand, in the Kizlyar district there are groups that are very active support Murtazalieva and probably will continue to do so. And there are those who can hardly stand on his support, “- he explains.
Last “Neformal»
Kizlyar district – a place of intensive migration, and much of its population are immigrants. Supporters Murtazalieva – it’s mostly people from the western regions of mountainous Dagestan, primarily Tsumadinskogo and Tsuntin.
But even in this part of the region it is not supported by all, at least judging by a number of conflicts with other supporters Murtazalieva come from these areas. The loudest event occurred in March 2012: in a shootout in the market Andrei Vinogradov Kizlyar guards were killed came from one village Tsumadinskogo district – City Assembly deputy Magomed Gamzatov, his three brothers and a nephew. Relatives of those killed then blocked a federal highway and demanded the resignation of Vinogradov. Guards in the end the jury acquitted. Supreme Court also upheld the judgment.
Historically, the head of the municipal districts and cities in Dagestan remain largely self-sufficient figures.
This is true, above all, cities where economic activity is concentrated, allowing local elites have their own sources of income.
Although Murtazalieva hardly typical political figure of Dagestan. In the past, freestyle wrestler and Olympic champion, he entered politics only in the beginning of zero. “These opinion leaders have characterized the region in the 1990s. Murtazaliyev – Neformal last appeared here, which has been integrated into the political structure of Dagestan “, – says Konstantin Kazenin.
According to the expert, the Murtazalieva have some political leverage.
First of all, the presence of fierce and organized team in the Kizlyar district in which his supporters “could count on the informal power resources».
In addition, the Republican Pension Fund, which is headed Murtazaliyev in 2007, received a position in the federal structure. Finally, the impact on neighboring regions of Dagestan and the Northern serious connections outside the region.
Next after Amirov
In June 2013, after the storming of the federal security forces was taken Mayor of Makhachkala Said Amirov – Dagestan influential politician who has long been considered unsinkable. Among the charges against him were and attempted Murtazalieva Amir nephew planned to shoot down the plane Murtazalieva using anti-aircraft missile system “Strela-2M” at the airport of Makhachkala.
The Fall Amirov happened soon after the appointment of the Head of Dagestan Ramzan Abdulatipova, which announced the launch of a campaign to clean up the Dagestani authorities.
«The expectations were very high – says the expert of the International Crisis Group, Catherine Sokiryanskaya. – It seemed that I was the first important step towards decriminalization Dagestani elite. But the arrest Amirov new high-profile arrests followed, other local barons remained in their places. ”
According to the expert, many a feeling of unjustified expectations, and soon Abdulatipova credibility has fallen dramatically.
Sokiryanskaya suggests that the case against Vinogradov and Murtazalieva – “the next step in the dismantling of Dagestan clan system.” In part, this could be done, and to support Abdulatipova. A slight decline of tension in the region, caused by the outflow of militants in Syria, would seem an opportune moment for the cleaning of the clans.
The political consequences
Kizlyar – densely populated, multicultural area with a complex situation and vnutriislamskoy fertile land for which is constantly fighting, but Murtazaliyev somehow kept the situation under control.
Now the responsibility for a difficult area to a greater extent will be on the Republican leadership of Dagestan.
And this raises an important question: whether in its the disposal of such personnel who can replace Murtazalieva. “As the experience of the struggle of Ramzan Abdulatipova with some other municipal leaders in southern Dagestan, with the staff at the municipal level, which would come to replace the strong leaders removed from the area, the situation is not too good,” – said Konstantin Kazenin.
A possible consequence of the change of elites will increase instability in the region is not the simplest one of the most troubled regions of the North Caucasus, where the acute problem of jihadist underground.
However, two years ago, many also felt that “if the delay Amirov, people will come to the area and it controls part of the Dagestan explode – says Sokiryanskaya. – But it turned out, only a small group of people, as now in support Sagid. No destabilization did not happen arrived, they took a helicopter, and no one was particularly jerk. ”
To say that the republican authorities then took full control of Makhachkala, it is also impossible. This is evidenced by at least personnel leapfrog around the post as head of the city.
For the first time, acting Mayor became rector of DSU Murtazali Rabadanov, whose main task was to keep control of the city without Amirov (on the one hand, he was loyal Abdulatipova, and on the other – was not entirely foreign to local officials). Then he was replaced by Magomed Suleymanov – a prominent representative of one of the most influential groups in Dagestan. “He has already worked quite hard, and the growth of its influence was not like in Makhachkala. A common language could not find, and he was removed post of Acting “, – says Kazenin.
Currently, the post of Acting Mayor of Makhachkala is a former Minister of Construction, Housing and Utilities of the Republic Musa Musayev, who is considered a person of the prime minister of Dagestan team Abdusamadov Hamidov. Murtazaliyev, which at one time was called one of the candidates for the post of head of Dagestan was a direct competitor.
«While the prosecution has not begun, there were suggestions that can compete with Murtazaliyev Musayev for mayor of Makhachkala,” – says Kazenin.
Although, he said, and now there is no guarantee for the Republican leadership that the elections will be easy. “It may appear opposed,” – said Kazenin. If Musayev become mayor, it would mean that the city finally came under his control.
«a true patriot»
Many experts believe that the influence of the conductor Murtazaliyev was the head of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov on the border areas of Dagestan.
«There are informal relations between the most influential figures of Dagestan and the Chechen authorities – said a senior researcher at the Center for Caucasus, MGIMO Russian Vadim Mukhanov. – Different, so to speak, shady things that existed in the North Caucasus, could not be carried out without normal interaction with its neighbors. Murtazaliyev and two or three Dagestani figures were contacted and if they do not trust the format, the format of the warm relations with the Terrible. Therefore, even if not directly, then indirectly, if they investigated all the cases related to the team Murtazalieva, they can bring in the Chechen sector. ”
«Naturally, the arrest (Vinogradov. -” Times “) was sanctioned at the highest level. Perhaps for pushing such solutions were connected certain pressure groups, but also Sagid also very powerful lobby. For example, he has a very good relationship with Ramzan Kadyrov – who was put in a good word for it, “- says Sokiryanskaya.
Ramzan Kadyrov has repeatedly demonstrated his disposition to Murtazaliyeva, who boasted relationships.
«I know him as a true patriot of Russia, as a person who is not in words, but in fact opposed to terrorists and Wahhabites. And this was at a time when endowed with the power of people do not always dare to clearly define the position on the matter. Sagid actively helped the First President of the Chechen Republic, Hero of Russia Akhmat-Hadji Kadyrov in the fight against terrorism, “- wrote on Friday, Ramzan Kadyrov in his Instagram, calling the prosecution Murtazalieva attempt someone revenge” for his clear position. ”
Recall “a true patriot of Russia” Kadyrov previously called Zaur Dadaeva suspected of involvement in the murder of opposition politician Boris Nemtsov.
«It is obvious that in this case the support Kadyrov did not play any role. While there may be some time this factor was important, because the story about the five dead known for a long time, these episodes are not surfaced today.
The federal center does not want to Kadyrov had influence in Dagestan, and his is quite clearly indicates, “- says Sokiryanskaya.
Kazenin not rule out that the prosecution Murtazalieva by federal security forces, which recently the head of the Chechen conflict has inflamed the public, can be a blow to the positions of Kadyrov: “To say that this was the real reason I can not, but many perceive it that way” . 
