21:56, 26 December 2018

Media: well-known Dagestani fighter suspected of intent to join IS

Khabib Nurmagomedov. Photo: REUTERS/Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

Khabib Nurmagomedov, an MMA fighter from Dagestan, was questioned at Makhachkala Airport before flying to Turkey. Border guards suspected him of trying to join the "Islamic State" (IS), a terrorist organization, banned in Russia by the court.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on April 8, the MMA (mixed martial arts) fighter became the first Russian champion in the history of the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) after he defeated Al Iaquinta in New York.

The RIA "Derbent" specifies that Nurmagomedov and another native of Dagestan were suspected of an attempt to join the IS.

"When citizens of a certain religion and of a certain nationality make flights in certain directions, this may cause interest among border guards at the border of the Russian Federation and at airports," the RIA "Derbent" quotes the message posted in the "Bad Lieutenant" Telegram channel.

Operative agents have recognized the athlete, took photos with him and "helped his speedy passage" through the border control, the "Sport-Express" reports.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on December 26, 2018 at 02:58 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.