Leaflets with threats addressed to alcohol and drug traders disseminated in Dagestan

Leaflets appeared in the territory of Makhachkala and other Dagestan cities containing threats to alcohol and drug dealers, fortune tellers, and owners of gambling halls and saunas.

Many shop owners selling strong drinks found such leaflets on May 17. They run: "Mojaheds of Jama'at 'Shariat' have announced war on you and your shaitan business, which you do on people's grief and tears, sowing debauch and multiplying sins."

Further, leaflets give three days to addressees to stop sale of alcohol and drugs and to close gambling halls and saunas.

"Otherwise we'll burn down your brothels and blow up the places where you practice haram; we'll ruin your property and burn down your shops and casinos, blow up your saunas, where your clients are engaged in fornications," the leaflets threat.

Their authors ask "the Moslems of Dagestan to help in the Allah's endeavour, stop the debauch planted by these evildoers" and "keep away from all places where these sins are committed, as any time they can be liquidated together with all their inhabitants."

Ahmed Azizov, a Deputy of the National Assembly of Dagestan, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that "the problems listed in the leaflets are really topical for Dagestan." "Russia is the most drinking country in the world. Step by step this trouble is covering our republic too," he said.

At the same time, the MP expressed his disagreement with the methods offered in the leaflets. "If we live in an Islamic state, we have a system of punishments, say, for alcohol traders, which can be engaged only after a long explanatory work. Since Dagestan has a secular rule, nobody has the right to incur retaliatory functions, which may lead to casualties among peaceful residents, including children," Mr Azizov has emphasized.

Gasan Gasangadjiev, Imam of one of Makhachkala mosques, believes that first of all the state should struggle with the alcoholic business. "In production of strong drinks almost 90 percent falls on shadow business. Booths selling alcohol can be found anywhere - near educational institutions, nurseries and other places. The alcohol sold there is outside any standards. Even if we just work in these directions, there'll be no room left for other nation's proponents," he said.

Magomed Gadzhiev, a shop owner from Makhachkala, said to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that he would go on selling alcohol despite the leaflets: "I have a license and all the documents - why should I stop my business?" he asked.

Another trader, who preferred to remain anonymous, did not exclude that he would reorient to sale of other products. "Who knows what these people are really capable of. I'll have to remove alcohol," he said.

The press service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) of Dagestan informed the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that they knew nothing about dissemination of leaflets.