Analysts doubt law enforcers' version about reasons for CTO in Makhachkala

The introduction of the counterterrorist operation (CTO) regime in Makhachkala, despite the fact that the casualty was seriously ill, was justified, analysts believe. However, it could have been avoided if law enforcers could foresee that this man is able of committing crimes again.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on March 11, for the first time since December 2016, the CTO regime was introduced in Makhachkala. According to law enforcers, the shooter was killed by return fire. The victim had planned to commit a terror act: a "suicide belt" was found at the venue of the shootout, the Russian National Antiterrorist Committee (NAC) has reported.

Magomed Magomedov, a deputy editor-in-chief of the "Chernovik" (Draft) weekly, believes that law enforcers had reasons for introducing the CTO regime in Makhachkala. "Whether he was a real terrorist depends on the reliable information available to law enforcers," he has added.

Mr Magomedov has admitted that a "suicide belt" could really be there. "In the history of Dagestani terrorism, there were examples when a seriously ill person attacked a police post, deciding to die in this way," he has explained.

There is not enough information from law enforcers about the suicide belt to assert this, said Milrad Fatullaev, the editor-in-chief of the RIA "Derbent". "According to special services, the man had been convicted for terrorism. As a rule, such people were subjected to harsh interrogations, possibly, by using force," he has explained.