Resident of Dagestan complains that policemen forced him to shave off his beard

Today, Zaur Agamuradov, a resident of Derbent, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that the head of the criminal search of the Derbent GOVD (City Interior Department) Arif Magomedov has warned him about non-admissibility of wearing a beard. The GOVD gives no comment.

"Today, a district policeman came to my home and said that I was summoned to the GOVD. There, they brought me to the office of Arif Magomedov, who said that they have a government instruction to shave all Muslims. Magomedov gave me one day, otherwise I would be forcibly shaved by policemen tomorrow,"- said Zaur Agamuradov.

He noted that he was bearing his beard for a long time for religious reasons and was not going to shave it off.

The on duty unit of the Derbent GOVD told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that only Magomedov could make comments, but he was not at work.

The press service of the government of Dagestan said that "nobody gives such stupid instructions."

Gasan Gasanaliev, Imam of a Makhachkala mosque, said that bearing a beard is a Muslim's duty.

"The followers of Imam Shafi, to whom almost all the Muslims of Dagestan refer, are strictly forbidden to shave off their beards. They should be properly trimmed and have a certain length," said the Imam.

The well-known social activist and poet Adallo expressed his outrage about Agamuradov's information.

"These are usual provocateurs. They go against the policy of Moscow and Makhachkala; they want to drive our youth into the 'forest' and complicate the situation in Russia and Dagestan. These things should get tough reaction; if don't put such policemen in place, they can make a lot of problems," said Adallo.