Comment about unrests in Makhachkala causes denunciation of Saida Sirazhudinova

After posting her comment on anti-Semitic actions in Dagestan for some Western editions, Saida Sirazhudinova, the President of the Centre for Studying Global Modernity Issues and Regional Problems "Caucasus. World. Development", has attracted attention of a well-known informer.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on October 29, mass riots occurred at the Makhachkala Airport due to the announcement of the arrival of a flight from Israel. More than 20 people suffered. By November 13, Dagestani courts had received 302 protocols drawn up in connection with the unrests under the article on violation of the procedure for holding rallies.

The reason for the denunciation on behalf of "Anna Korobkova" was the material of the Deutsche Welle*, whose journalists turned to Saida Sirazhudinova, a sociologist, for comment. Sirazhudinova noted that denunciation author had completely distorted the content of her comment, the "Kavkaz.Realii"** project has reported.

"Sirazhudinova took part in the live broadcast of the media outlet whose work had been stopped by Russian authorities, that is, she helped this media outlet ... in slandering the special military operation (SMO)," the denunciation says.

"This is not the first denunciation, but this is the first direct attempt to cause harm," Saida has stated, adding that experts with strong convictions are not afraid of such denunciations.

She has linked the surge in hostility toward Jews with the "difficult general situation in Dagestan," since "personal and social problems, coupled with an absence of prospects, have caused an accumulated sense of helplessness" among republic's residents.

Sirazhudinova has noted that the pogroms were inspired by radicals, since in general anti-Semitism is not typical of locals. However, she acknowledged that the low education level in Dagestan makes some residents of the region vulnerable to manipulation and incitement.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that this August, because of the denunciation by "Anna Korobkova", law enforcers summoned Kaloi Akhilgov, a well-known Ingush lawyer, for a conversation.

*On March 28, 2022, the Russian Ministry of Justice (MoJ) included the "Deutsche Welle" outlet into the register of "foreign agents".

**Included by the Russian Ministry of Justice (MoJ) into the register of foreign agents.