Ombudsperson acquires key role in transfer of Makhachkala Airport rioters to their homeland

The appeal of the Human Rights Commissioner (Ombudsperson) to transfer the convicted participants in the riots organized at the Makhachkala Airport to Dagestani colonies is of particular importance, since the provision of the law on serving a sentence in the region of inmate’s residence is often not enforced.

The criminal cases on participation in the riots at the Makhachkala Airport are considered by courts in the Krasnodar and Stavropol Territories. From August 2024 to March 2025, a total of 84 people were convicted of participating in the riots; they were sentenced to imprisonment for terms ranging from 4.5 to 10.5 years.

On April 24, during the discussion of the report of Zapir Alkhasov, the republic’s Ombudsperson, at the People's Assembly of Dagestan, Mukhtarpasha Umakhanov, an MP, asked: "Have the relatives of the defendants in the ‘Airport Case’ contacted you? They bear large material costs for travelling to other regions and organizing the convicts’ defence (in court)."

"The Ombudsperson’s status doesn’t allow interference in the administration of justice. In which we are already participating – so that the persons who have received sentences are convoyed to Dagestan to serve their sentences there," the “Chernovik” outlet quotes Mr Alkhasov's response.

The mass riots at the Makhachkala Airport occurred on October 29, 2023, due to the announcement of the arrival of a plane with passengers from Israel. More than 20 people were injured in the riots, including nine policemen. Overall, 1200 people were brought to administrative responsibility.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on April 25, 2025 at 23:55 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.