Activists in Moscow have installed a memorial plaque for the 21st time in honor of Anna Politkovskaya, who was murdered in 2006. The plaque, which reads, "Anna Politkovskaya lived in this house and was vilely murdered on October 7, 2006," has previously been destroyed by unknown assailants. Activists intend to continue restoring it until it remains in place forever.
A petition addressed to the President of Russia has been published on Change.Org, asking for the restoration of the Aukh District in Dagestan, which was abolished in 1944 following the deportation of the Chechen population.
The petition's authors point to years of delays in the district's restoration and the lack of a comprehensive legal and territorial solution for the return of deported Chechens and their descendants. Signatories emphasized the ongoing social tensions related to unresolved land and property issues.
The Chechens of Aukh are asking the President to initiate the process of restoring the district within its historical borders or in another form, commission the development of a restoration plan, and ensure the rights of the rehabilitated population are respected. Their demands include the creation of a federal commission to oversee the implementation and guarantee a peaceful resolution of the issue, protecting the rights of all residents. The petition's authors emphasize that their appeal is not directed against other peoples of Dagestan and advocate for a settlement based on the Constitution and interethnic harmony.
The Aukhovsky District, populated by Chechens, was abolished in 1944 following the deportation of Chechens by Stalin's order. The Novolaksky District, populated by Laks resettled from the mountainous regions of Dagestan, was created over most of the territory. The southeastern part was annexed to the Kazbekovsky District and populated by Avars.