Dagestani representatives fear that Cossack patrols in Moscow streets may exacerbate ethnic tension

Representatives of Dagestan believe that the Cossack brigades, who on November 27 went to patrol Moscow, may contribute to the escalation of ethnic tensions. Kamil Davdiev proposed to involve people from the Diaspora in patrol activities. Igor Gulichev, a representative of the Cossacks, expressed his scepticism about the idea of joint patrols and treated the concerns expressed as unfounded.

On Tuesday, November 27, the Cossack brigades began patrolling the centre of Moscow near the area of the Belarusian railway station.

The patrolling involved about 15 Cossacks, who performed an operation against improperly parked vehicles and unsanctioned trading in one of the pedestrian crossing, the "Vesti FM" reports.

The patrolling of the Cossacks to patrol the area of Belarusian railway station was not sanctioned, and it was the initiative of one of the Cossack leaders. This was stated by the Committee for Cossack Affairs in Moscow and the prefecture of the Central Administrative District of the capital. Officials from the prefecture have explained that the specialized Cossack brigades are still under formation. Involvement of Cossacks in the city brigade is scheduled for early 2013, the "ITAR-TASS" reports.

Kamil Davdiev: Cossack patrolling in streets should have been discussed with representatives of Diasporas

Kamil Davdiev, the head of the Committee on International Relations and Religious Groups of the People's Assembly of Dagestan, believes that prior to the start of practice for patrolling the Moscow streets by Cossack brigades; they should ask the opinion of the national Diasporas.

"'Let us join together for patrolling' that such a proposal would be beneficial," Kamil Davdiev says. According to his story, in another scenario, the establishment of Cossack brigades "can lead to even more deterioration of the situation," the "Izvestia" reports.

Kamil Davdiev has noted that the national Diasporas expressed their cautious attitude with regard to the practice of Cossack patrols in connection of statements of Alexander Tkachov, Governor of the Krasnodar Territory on the establishment of the Cossack police to assist law enforcement agencies. "What you are not allowed, they are allowed." And one would think that they have the right to do whatever they want," the representative of the People's Assembly of Dagestan notes.

Magomedrasul Omarov, Press Secretary of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims (SAM) of Dagestan, believes that Cossack patrols would be unnecessary at the normal functioning of the police. "Today, Cossack brigades are established, tomorrow someone else's brigades. And when will the police work?" he asks.

Igor Gulichev: patrolling is not intended to prosecute members of other religions or nationalities

However, Igor Gulichev, Deputy Leader of the District Cossack Community "South-East", called fears of the national diasporas unfounded. According to his story, patrolling is not intended to persecute representatives of other religions or nationalities, and people should just "not disturb the public order". "If Dagestanis, Chechens, Uzbeks, Kyrgyz or Tajiks don't disturb the public order, no one would apply any measures against them," he has stated.

Igor Gulichev has emphasized that the Cossacks are on duty together with law enforcers, and he perceived with scepticism the idea of joint patrolling the streets with representatives of the national Diasporas. According to his story, the state has identified forms of service for members of the Cossack communities; one of the forms was the maintenance of public order. "The state trusts us in this regard, and we are ready to be involved in that," Igor Gulichev said. And he continued: "And who wants to join us it would be good for them to organize their patrols in Dagestan, Chechnya..."

Earlier, the "Caucasian Knot" reported that on July 26, deputies of the Legislative Assembly of the Krasnodar Territory adopted the draft law on establishment in the region of "the Cossack police", which provides, starting from September 1, that Cossacks should be on duty in public places with the law enforcers for a fee. Meanwhile, a number of experts expressed their opinion that the establishment of "the Cossack militia" would not reduce the existing ethnic tensions in Kuban.

Since 2010, authorities in some regions of the Stavropol Territory signed agreements with the Cossack communities on cooperation in maintaining the public order, and that resulted in action of joint Cossack and militia squads. Starting from November 15, 2012, the Stavropol City Cossack Community guards the Stavropol Mayoralty. It is planned that in the nearest future, other public institutions of the city will also be guarded by Cossacks.