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Journalists, Activists In Daghestan To Protest 'Death List'


MAKHACHKALA, Russia -- Lawyers, human rights activists, and journalists who have been put on a "death list" distributed at markets and mosques in Daghestan will hold a protest in the capital, Makhachkala, RFE/RL's Russian and North Caucasus services report.

The leaflet with the list of names is signed by the relatives of police officers killed by insurgents in the past several months.

It threatens to assassinate some 250 alleged extremists and 16 rights activists, lawyers, and journalists who are called supporters of the extremists.

"Our goal is blood vengeance for those killed and the fight for the future of our children," the leaflet declares. It adds that Daghestan officials are unable to protect people against the extremists, and the arrested militants are often released because of "the corruption of the courts."

The organizers of the protest against the "death list" also plan to hold a special meeting of the republic's Journalists Union to discuss the situation in Daghestan.

Violent attacks against police and government officials have increased in Daghestan and other republics in Russia's North Caucasus region in recent months, leading to the deaths of dozens of security officers and government officials.
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