According to an American expert on Russia Paul Goble on his blog Window on Eurasia with reference to Moscow sociologist Yana Amelina, one in every three Dagestanis supports the Jihad (Holy War) in the Russian-occupied Caucasus Emirate.
Amelina published these figures in an article in a Moscow KGB national-patriotic newspaper Zavtra.
In her article entitled "Time is working against us. Why the opposition to Russia is growing in the Caucasus", Amelina, in particular,said:
"Events of recent months in North Caucasus, specifically in Dagestan, can be called alarming. There are very dangerous processes taking in Dagestan now. Step by step, extremists seize positions in society, and they simply kill their opponents.
Radical Islam is on attack. With a certain degree of probability (there is no real sociology on the subject), you can say that the supporters of radical ideology make about one third of the Muslims, especially among the youth.
A third of sympathizers of extremists is quite a lot. Of course, not all these people take part in armed Jihad. They have the main body - infantry, men with guns.
There are also religious leaders who are active in Salafi propaganda, and there are financial structures and underground providing assets, IDs, weapons, and money.
And there are those who sympathize with the main body, provide them with livelihoods and render assistance.
The basis of the combat wing is the young who pick up the slogans of the true faith, Islamic rule, Islamic Caliphate, and most important - Justice! - which is so lacking in Dagestan today.
Unfortunately, time is working against us".
Department of Monitoring
Kavkaz Center
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