Dagestani leader suggests amnesty for militants

Dagestani leader Magomedsalam Magomedov said in his speech to the Congress of Dagestan Peoples that the forum's delegates should ask the Russian President to offer an amnesty to militants, Interfax reports.

Over 120 militants have been killed in the republic over the past four months and more than 180 since the beginning of 2010, the president said. "I am not happy about these statistics, we are talking about the extermination of Dagestanis," Magomedov said.

Those who embarked on the path of armed struggle should surrender their arms and return to a peaceful life and they are guaranteed a fair trial, as well as legal and social aid, he said.

The amnesty act should be applied in Dagestan, he said, adding that the delegates should put this initiative to the Russian president.

"I suggest adopting an address to the Russian president regarding the application of an amnesty act in Dagestan," Magomedov said.