Resident of Dagestan complains about prophylactic registration

A resident of Kaspiysk has contacted the Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial"* after learning that he had been put on the so-called "prophylactic registration". He fears that this may negatively affect his work and believes that his rights and freedoms are being violated.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Dagestan had actively used the practice of "prophylactic" registering republic's residents. It was done without due reasons; and law enforcers explained their actions by the fact that a person was wearing beard or visiting a mosque. In 2017, the Dagestani Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) announced that it had abandoned this practice. However, the HRC "Memorial"* has noted that prophylactic registration continues, but its methods have become less intrusive than before.

Magomed, a resident of Kaspiysk, has complained that he had been "preventively" registered. According to his story, in July, the police became interested in him because he had no medical mask. Law enforcers checked the man by the database and told him that he had been registered as an extremist.

According to Magomed, earlier, in December 2020, unknown people came to his home. They asked him why he was visiting the "Tangim" mosque in Makhachkala' the asked questions about his residence, work, his marital status and communication circle, as well as since when he had been observing the religious requirements.

Magomed fears that his registration in such a status may negatively affect his work, and also believes that this violates his rights and freedoms.