The Vohabists, including their area of influence, especially in the Daghestan city of Kaspiysk and the attitude of government towards their members [RUS32721.E]

No mention of the Vohabists could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate. However, a 23 May 1998 Interfax report states that a group of "Islamic extremists" called "Vahabits" had been holding a group of policemen under siege in a village of Daghestan.

Furthermore, according to a November 1998 regional early warning report on Daghestan, there is a religious group called the Wahhabists who make up about 2 or 3 per cent of the Sunni Muslims in Daghestan. The report was prepared by the London-based Forum on Early Warning and Early Response (FEWER), which describes itself as a "multi-sectorial and multi-disciplinary organisation [whose] goal is to draw together and support existing early warning networks to produce early warning reports containing analysis and policy recommendations". The report also states that:

The Sunni Muslims, who make up 97 % of Daghestan's Islamic population, are subdivided into two groups: Tarrikatist and Wahhabist ...With foreign support, the Wahhabis aggressive radicalism and militarism is making them more influential across the region. Christianity and Judaism account for approximately 10 % of the population.

The attached excerpt from a report on Daghestan prepared by the UK-based Conflict Studies Research Centre (CSRC) which is part of the British Army's Doctrine and Development Directorate, provides an analysis of the Wahhabist movement in Daghestan:

... their aim is somewhat more extensive. "This is the beginning of the unification of the peoples of the Caucasus. Soon in this agreement will be included other nations of the Caucasus. We have one aim - the creation in the Caucasus of an Islamic Republic which will include Ichkeria, Dagestan, Kabarda, Balkariya, Ingushetiya, Karachayevo-Cherkessia and Azerbaijan". The latest tendency is attempts at spreading the idea of Wahhabism to "Ingushetia, Kabardino-Bakariya, Karachayevo-Cherkessia and Adygeya", almost to the Black Sea littoral. The intermediate objective of Wahhabism, again from Russian sources, is to strengthen their foothold and presence in the North Caucasus. "Consolidating their position amongst the multi-nation peoples of the North Caucasus, the Wahhabis have the objective of penetrating the power structures. This work is not wasted. Wahhabi sympathisers have appeared amongst deputies of legislative assemblies of republics, government, and state organs. In the Russian press the spread of the influence of the Wahhabis has been noticed in the Chechen government: Udugov, Yandarbiyev and others".

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References


The Conflict Studies Research Centre (CSRC), Camberley, Surrey, UK. N.d.C.W. Blandy. Dagestan: The Gathering Storm. http://www.pims.org/csrc/Dagestan_Gathering_Storm.htm [Accessed 9 September 1999]

Forum on Early Warning and Early Response (FEWER), London. November 1998. Enver Kisriev. Region Early Warning Report: Daghestan. http://www.fewer.org/caucasus/daghestan_1198.htm[Accessed 13 Sept. 1999]

Attachment


The Conflict Studies Research Centre (CSRC), Camberley, Surrey, UK. n.d. C.W. Blandy. Dagestan: The Gathering Storm. http://www.pims.org/csrc/dagestan_gathering_storm.htm[Accessed 9 September 1999]

Additional Sources Consulted


Electronic sources: Internet, LEXIS/NEXIS, WNC.

Interfax [Moscow]. 23 May 1998. "Police Blocked by Islamist in North Caucasus." (NEXIS)

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) Website.

Russia Today Website.

Transitions Online Website.