The decree signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin that same day regarding the change of leadership in Dagestan was published on the Kremlin website. Head of the republic, Sergei Melikov, has resigned, and Fyodor Shchukin has been appointed acting head.
At the session of the People's Assembly, the head of Dagestan Sergei Melikov expressed his opinion regarding wearing the niqab.
“Personally, I am against wearing a niqab... This clothing, unusual for the Caucasian peoples, makes it possible for men to hide behind scarves, and for women to carry prohibited items. From the point of view of terrorist security, I am also against it,” Melikov said.
He called the terrorist attacks in Makhachkala and Derbent a planned action by the external and internal enemies of Dagestan, an attempt to “shatter the foundations of Dagestan society, the North Caucasus and all of Russia.”
Melikov recommended that the law enforcement bloc become more active in preventing the fight against the ideology of terrorism. “The competent authorities will find out how “sleeping cells” are formed, who coordinates their actions and finances them,” the head of Dagestan assured.