Ullubiy Khanmurzaev Begins Hunger Strike Following Arrest
Ullubiy Khanmurzaev, the former head of Buinaksk District, has initiated a hunger strike following his recent arrest. He contests the fraud charges against him, as reported by Shamil Khadulaev, head of the Dagestan Public Monitoring Commission.
Background on Arrest and Dismissal
On November 21, 2025, Khanmurzaev was dismissed from his position due to his inadequate handling of local issues over the past three months. This decision garnered the backing of 43 district council members. Upon returning from service in the Special Military Operation (SVO) zone, he had transferred his responsibilities to his deputy but faced local government dissatisfaction.
On January 19, 2026, Khanmurzaev was arrested on suspicion of corruption. Lawmakers criticized him for not notifying the parliament when signing a contract with the Ministry of Defense. Dagestan’s head, Sergey Melikov, supported the district assembly’s push for Khanmurzaev’s dismissal, which had been in the works since October 2025.
Details of Hunger Strike
Khadulaev announced the hunger strike via his Telegram channel, stating that Khanmurzaev’s declaration was officially registered at the Makhachkala detention facility. Khanmurzaev insists on his innocence regarding the fraud allegations.
Prior Achievements and Investigative Work
Khanmurzaev served as an investigator for the Russian Investigative Committee. He notably solved the high-profile kidnapping and murder case of an eight-year-old girl from Kaspiysk in 2018. His effective handling of the case earned him recognition from Alexander Bastrykin, the Chairman of the Investigative Committee of Russia.
Public Response and Political Context
The tragic case received immense public attention, particularly after the girl’s remains were discovered over a month after she had gone missing. In October 2020, a suspect was detained and confessed to the crimes, with prosecutors seeking a life sentence for him.
Khanmurzaev was appointed acting head of the Buinaksk District Administration in January 2023. He was officially elected on July 5, 2023, with unanimous support from all participating deputies. However, some political analysts suggest that Khanmurzaev may have been a protégé of former Secretary of State Magomed-Sultan Magomedov, who faced legal scrutiny after his arrest in June 2025.
Conclusion
The unfolding situation regarding Ullubiy Khanmurzaev and his hunger strike has captured the attention of local and national audiences. As the investigation progresses, the implications of his case may resonate beyond the political landscape of Dagestan.
