Dagestani official arrested on suspicion of aiding terrorism

Magomed Omarov, former head of the Sergokalinsky district in Dagestan, was arrested for allegedly aiding terrorism. Investigators claim Omarov knew his sons, Osman and Adil, were Wahhabis planning attacks.

Omarov was previously expelled from the United Russia party, where he was a regional political council member and local branch secretary.

Dagestan is mourning the victims of the June 23 terrorist attacks in Makhachkala and Derbent, targeting synagogues, two Orthodox churches, and law enforcement officers. The Ministry of Health confirmed 21 deaths and about 50 injuries, including a priest and several police officers.

Reports indicate that five to six militants were killed, including Omarov's sons and nephew. Foreign sources state that Osman Omarov had ties with an Islamic State cell in Turkey. In Dagestan, he was involved in construction and owned the Lemonade cafe in Izerbash. Another identified terrorist was Gadzhimurad Kagirov, an MMA fighter from the Sergokalinsky district.