Abdulatipov: Purification of power is taking place in Dagestan

The head of Dagestan, Ramadan Abdulatipov, says that the country is undergoing a "purification and renewal of power," and also notes that the recent arrest of Deputy Prime Minister Magomedgusen Nasrutdinov, suspected of fraud, is related to his activities long before his arrival in the current government.

"Among the heads of administrations and members of the government there are people with old sins, earned before my 'birth.' These sins should be washed away," Abdulatipov is quoted by ITAR-TASS.

The head of Dagestan emphasizes that "no one person whom I broguht to power is stained, and no one has questions for these people." "Nasrutdinov's issues are related to his activities before the year 2000. Therefore, some media speculation that the closest associates of Abdulatipov are being arrested is sheer innuendo. I have only one ally in my country, and the whole world knows him. And I'm always true to my associates," the head of Dagestan says.

Abdulatipov also reports that the duties of vice-premier of Nasrutdinov have been delegated to other vice-chairmen.

He also commented on his recent trip to Moscow, which some of the media associated with Nasrutdinov's arrest."The flight to Moscow was due to a previously-planned meeting with First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov  who had a very important meeting on Dagestan together with ambassador Alexander Khloponin. This trip has no connection with the arrest of Deputy Prime Minister M.Nasrutdinov. Though I was interested in the circumstances of his arrest."

According to Abdulatipov, both the Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, who supervised the gas problems in the country, "have been advised to establish business relationship with Gazprom and are prepared to sell the gas network to Gazprom, because it is in the interests of the republic."

"And today, we continue to work without being distracted by gossip and provocation. Dagestan will be one of the safest republics of the Russian Federation," he says.

Earlier, the Lefortovskiy court of Moscow remanded Deputy Prime Minister of Dagestan Nasrutdinov in custody for two months. He is suspected of defrauding 130 million rubles in the sale of natural gas networks in the republic. By the court's decision, he will remain in custody until March 16.