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Dagestanian Lezghins Now Refugees in Georgia

November 4, 2008

Gela Mtivlishvili, Kakheti

Tens of Lezghins have come from Dagestan to Kakheti District, Georgia in the last few days. They are being sheltered with their relatives and acquaintances in Lezghian settlements (three villages in the Kvareli district). The North Caucasian refugees state that the situation in Makhachkala District and all of Dagestan has become tensed. The local law enforcers under the military government instruction are under duress recruiting young men between the ages of 18-38 years old into army and those who resist serving are arrested.

Magamed Khaibulaev, a Lezghin who has just arrived in Georgia, told us that no one gave any explanation on why the young men are being recruited. The Dagenstanians see some connection between the compulsory recruitment and Georgian-Russian conflict and military activities in the region of Ingushetia.

“Compulsory recruitment started on October 20. Local law enforcers came to our houses and informed us that they were instructed to recruit young men. They gave us one day to prepare to join the army. We have heard that military groups are being formed in Dagestan. Some of the groups that are being formed are staffed with inexperienced green soldiers and they are then deployed to Tskhinvali, and those who had previously been in the army are sent to Ingushetia. Most men refuse to join the army and serve to do any military service. Those who failed to arrive to Georgia are hiding out in Dagestan. People are hiding in forests,” states our respondent.

Another Lezghian man who declined from revealing his identity said that his brother A.M., 29 could not manage to escape and the police took him to force him to join the army.
“My brother and his two friends managed to escape from Makhachkala Military Commissariat. I spoke with my mother several days ago. She said my brother and his friends have been hiding in forest for over a week now. Criminal cases are opened for those putting up resistance to the police,” stated the inhabitant of Makhachkala.

Some young Lizghians who have recently arrived to Georgia were actually born in Georgia, and some of them hold double citizenship, which gives them rights and responsibilities of both countries.

Lezghians live in Tivi, Saruso and Chantliskuri- three villages of the Kvareli District.

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