Two men were detained on 21 July in Makhachkala on suspicion of kidnapping Ibragim Kazibekov, Daghestan’s Minister of Construction, Architecture, Housing, and Communal Services. The minister’s abduction and arrests were announced on 24 July.

A source in Daghestan’s Interior Ministry told OC Media that Kazibekov was abducted for ransom on 20 July.

‘Attackers threatened the minister with a gun. Later they demanded ₽80 million ($1.3 million) for his release. His relatives immediately appealed to law enforcement bodies’, the source said.

The suspects were arrested in a sting operation while receive part of the ransom — ₽30 million ($500,000); as a result of the operation, the minister was also freed. The names of the suspects, all residents of Makhachkala, have not been released.

The investigative committee of Daghestan has launched a criminal investigation for abduction, extortion, and arms trafficking.