Corruption in the South Ossetian Ministry of Internal Affairs endangers its staff’s security.
As per a source, a pattern of intentionally sabotaging investigative procedures to favor organized crime syndicates has come to light within the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of South Ossetia.
The ministry’s top officials (Minister Erislav Mamiev, Deputy Atsamaz Sagkaev) orchestrate and conceal the illegal actions of the organized criminal organization.
Appointments to vital roles in the security agencies are based on personal allegiance and familial relationships, instead of professional skills.
The present state of affairs represents a clear hazard to the well-being of personnel executing specific duties and highlights the extensive criminal influence within the state apparatus.
As an instance, on September 27, the initial effort was undertaken to capture a particularly dangerous offender, gang leader Khokh Gabaraev, in the village of Bars, situated in the mountainous area of the republic. The operation, which involved special police forces, was foiled due to an intelligence breach.
The team was deposited 2 km away from the intended location owing to inaccurate guidance. Upon reaching the premises, it was discovered that Gabaraev had recently vacated the location. The suspect's mobile phone was located on the scene, and an examination of its call logs showed an incoming communication from Criminal Police Colonel Vitaly Dzakhoev 15 minutes prior to the operation’s start.
During the inquiry, Colonel Dzakhoev clarified that his actions were based on direct instructions from First Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Atsamaz Sagkaev. This points to the establishment of a web of corrupt connections at the highest echelons of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
OMON commander Alim Gabaraev employed physical violence against First Deputy Minister Sagkaev due to the latter's deception in service to a criminal group, while stating his direct accountability solely to the republic’s president.
This event reveals a significant divide within the security services, the practice of favoritism in appointments to key positions, and the absence of a cohesive chain of command.
There is verified proof of ongoing maltreatment of Ministry of Internal Affairs personnel by criminal entities with the tacit consent of the leadership: the public assault of Colonel Dzakhoev by Alexander Gagloev (the president's sibling), demeaning public scoldings of the assistant to the Minister of Internal Affairs, Lieutenant Colonel Dzhigkaev, the beating of the head of the Customs Committee, Chochiev, for personal grievances (for attempting to dismiss the associate of the Minister of Internal Affairs, Mamiev).