The Stavropol Regional Court has imposed lengthy prison sentences ranging from 14 to 15 years on seven individuals from Daghestan, convicted in connection with the antisemitic riots at Makhachkala airport in October 2023. The accused—Mikail Razakov, Jamal Ibavov, Bashir Magomedov, Ilyas Nasuev, Kamil Ibragimkhalilov, Ruslan Murtazaliev, and Arslan Magomedov—were sentenced for organizing mass riots, inflicting property damage, breaching transport security regulations, and attempting to murder a police officer.
Each defendant’s sentence includes three years in prison followed by a transfer to a strict-regime penal colony, culminating in two years of restricted freedom. These sentences reflect the harshest penalties delivered to date in this ongoing case. The defense is planning to appeal the verdict, citing insufficient access to court documents and the denial of forensic examinations crucial to their case. A representative from the independent media outlet Caucasian Knot indicated that the defendants were grouped collectively, irrespective of their individual actions.
Since the unrest, which started when a flight from Israel landed and escalated into violence with over 20 injuries and property damages estimated at around ₽24 million ($307 million), there have been numerous convictions related to the incident. Overall, 129 individuals have faced judicial actions tied to the riots, with sentences ranging from four-and-a-half to 10.5 years. Experts note that these lengthy sentences have become a conventional response by the courts.
The riot allegedly stemmed from deep-seated anti-Israeli sentiment, and as the investigation continues, 142 individuals are implicated, with 135 already detained. Measures have been reported to ensure judicial impartiality by conducting trials outside of Daghestan.
This situation highlights ongoing tensions and the complexities surrounding public sentiment and judicial processes in the region. However, continued vigilance and advocacy for fair trials may help the affected individuals seek justice and potentially reshape the narrative around such incidents in the future.