Life in an underground Russian sect
- 12 years ago
Twenty-nine year old Shamil Ibragimov has been living under ground for more than a decade.
He's a member of an Islamic sect and lives in a compound that was raided this month by Russian authorities.
(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) MEMBER OF 'FAYZARAHMANIST' SECT SHAMIL IBRAGIMOV, SAYING:
"Every family had a separate room. There was a bathroom on every floor, a sink, tiles, and a gas tank."
Police removed 20 children from the compound. Many had reportedly never seen daylight. Authorities are now investigating child abuse charges.
(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) MEMBER OF 'FAYZARAHMANIST' SECT SHAMIL IBRAGIMOV, SAYING:
"The children cried, and yelled and shouted that they didn't want to go. They got a really big shock. People came in armed to the teeth, the children were already crying."
The raid on the compound reflects growing concern about radical Islamic groups in Tatarstan, long presented as a showcase of tolerance in Russia.
He's a member of an Islamic sect and lives in a compound that was raided this month by Russian authorities.
(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) MEMBER OF 'FAYZARAHMANIST' SECT SHAMIL IBRAGIMOV, SAYING:
"Every family had a separate room. There was a bathroom on every floor, a sink, tiles, and a gas tank."
Police removed 20 children from the compound. Many had reportedly never seen daylight. Authorities are now investigating child abuse charges.
(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) MEMBER OF 'FAYZARAHMANIST' SECT SHAMIL IBRAGIMOV, SAYING:
"The children cried, and yelled and shouted that they didn't want to go. They got a really big shock. People came in armed to the teeth, the children were already crying."
The raid on the compound reflects growing concern about radical Islamic groups in Tatarstan, long presented as a showcase of tolerance in Russia.