Senior Dagestan Official Accused of Illegally Privatizing Oil Firm in 2000s

Authorities in the North Caucasus republic of Dagestan are looking into allegations against a high-ranking regional official, Magomed-Sultan Magomedov, who is accused of unlawfully privatizing an oil firm in the mid-2000s, according to reports from Russian media on Wednesday.

At 69 years old, Magomedov has been serving as Dagestan’s state secretary since 2021, a role that primarily involves administrative responsibilities within the regional government. He is affiliated with the ruling United Russia party.

The RBC news outlet, referencing an unnamed law enforcement source, indicated that Magomedov was taken into custody following searches conducted at both his residence and workplace. It remains unclear if he is facing any formal charges.

Reports suggest that local investigators were not briefed about the operation beforehand, and the regional police department did not respond to requests for comments from the media.

Agents from the Federal Security Service (FSB) reportedly searched approximately 50 locations associated with Magomedov, as detailed by the independent Dagestan news source Chernovik.

«The operation required a significant number of personnel, which is why law enforcement arrived in the republic in small units over the course of a week,» an anonymous source was quoted by Chernovik.

Telegram channels linked to Russian security agencies have reported that this investigation is related to the purported illegal privatization of the oil distributor Dagnefteprodukt in 2005.

Magomedov held the position of CEO at Dagnefteprodukt from 1991 until 2005. The company underwent restructuring in 2021 and now operates under the name Kaspetrolservis.

Additionally, Magomedov is a co-founder of FC Anzhi Makhachkala. The football club gained attention after being acquired by billionaire Suleiman Kerimov in 2011 but lost its professional status in the early 2020s.