Week in the Caucasus: review of main events of July 11-17

Capture by supporters of the "Constituent Parliament" of police building in Armenia; coup attempt in Turkey; road accident in Tarumov District of Dagestan, – see the review of these and other events in the Caucasus during the week of July 11-17, 2016, prepared by the "Caucasian Knot".

Supporters of "Constituent Parliament" capture police building in Armenia

On July 17, supporters of the oppositional "Constituent Parliament" captured the building of the police patrol-and-guarding regiment. As a result, one policeman was killed and three other wounded; two oppositionists were also wounded. The "Constitutive Parliament" demands to release all the country's political prisoners, including its leader Zhirayr Sefilyan.

The Armenian President and his supporters have pursued, over the years, a policy of retaining the power; and this has forced their opponents to resort to extreme measures, the oppositionists have stated. They also reported mass detentions of their supporters.

After the coup attempt in Turkey, Georgia and Armenia strengthen their border control

On July 15, military opponents of the Turkish government launched a coup attempt. As of July 17, 265 people were killed, and more than 1500 – wounded.

The Turkish-Georgian border was closed. In the evening on July 16, they began evacuating Georgian citizens from Turkey home. Russian militaries intensified the guarding of the Armenian-Turkish border. The authorities of North Ossetia asked their Diaspora in Turkey to help their compatriots. The diplomatic mission of Azerbaijan in Turkey switched over into enhanced operation mode. The political analysts, interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot", said that the coup in Turkey, if successful, would not have worsened the Ankara-Baku relations.

On July 17, natives from the Caucasus took part in actions in support of Erdogan held in Istanbul. According to Circassian activists, the attempted coup in Turkey will not lead to increase in the number of repatriates.

Nine people killed and 27 injured in traffic accident in Dagestan

On July 13, in the Tarumov District of Dagestan, a bus collided with a trailer, torn away from the truck. As a result, nine people were killed, 27 others were injured. As of July 17, 19 victims are still in hospitals, four of them are in grave condition.

Dagestani authorities have allocated 100,000 roubles to each casualty's family, and 50,000 roubles – to each of the victims. The head of Dagestan declared July 14 a day of mourning for the casualties.

IS confirms death of Umar al-Shishani

On July 13, the "Islamic State" (IS) (banned in Russia) confirmed the death of one of their leaders, Abu Umar al-Shishani (Tarkhan Batirashvili), during armed clashes in the Iraqi city of Shirkat. The message about his death was at least 13th one in recent years. But this time it was for the first time spread by militants themselves; and for this reason it is worth trusting, said the experts, interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot". Residents of the Pankisi Gorge have also confirmed the death of al-Shishani.

Experts believe that this death is a serious loss for the IS. However, in their opinion, after the death of al-Shishani, the groupings consisting of natives of the Caucasus will not leave the IS, which is staggered by internal crises.

Prime Minister and Government resign in Adjaria

On July 6, Archil Khabadze, the Chairman of the Government of the Georgian Autonomous Republic of Adjaria, announced his resignation; and on July 14, President of Georgia dismissed the Government. On July 15, Zurab Pataradze, the former Georgian Ambassador to Kazakhstan, was approved as the new Prime Minister.

The opposition has stated that the President had violated the Constitution, because he had signed the resignation decree retroactively. Political analysts treat the change of government as a pre-election act.

Terror act in Nice

On July 14, a terror act was committed in the French city of Nice, where people celebrated the Bastille Day. A truck drove at high speed into a crowd of people, who gathered to watch the fireworks, killing 84 people, a woman-citizen of Armenia among them. A girl from a Chechen family was among the victims.