1, 500 Rioters Storm Airport In Makhachkala

• 30.10.2023, 9:11

Nine policemen were injured.

The Dagestani police learned of anti-Jewish sentiment in Makhachkala from a woman surnamed Fridman. More than 1,500 people stormed the airport - at the time there were 4 Israeli citizens on the plane arriving from Tel Aviv.

According to the BAZA telegram channel, which is close to the Russian security forces, a Moscow resident surnamed Fridman contacted the Dagestan police yesterday afternoon. She said she saw many calls on local blogs and Telegram channels for Israeli citizens to be expelled from Dagestan.

The Red Wings flight from Tel Aviv landed at 19:22 - by which time police estimated that around 1,500 people had already stormed the airport. The protesters broke into the administration building and ran out onto the runway where the plane was parked. There were 50 people inside, including 4 Israeli citizens. At 20:40, a column of police reinforcements - about 70 police officers - moved towards the airport. At this point, some of the demonstrators entered the VIP lounge of the airport.

By 10pm, the protesters had calmed down and the police began to arrest them. By this time, more than 500 police officers from Makhachkala, Kaspiysk, Buynaksk, Izberbash and Derbent were on duty at the airport. Nine policemen were injured, including regimental commander Anver Mallakurbanov, who was hospitalised with head injuries. We would like to remind you that in the Republic of Dagestan RF, crowds of locals have been looking for Jews and organising riots. Including at airports.

In Dagestan's capital, Makhachkala, locals gathered near the airport in connection with the arrival of a "direct flight from Israel" - Red Wings from Tel Aviv. The crowd checked cars leaving the airport area in search of Israeli citizens. The rioters then stormed the airport.

Russian authorities and security forces failed to prevent the attacks.