Anti-corruption moves could halt violence

BRUSSELS, June 3 (UPI) -- A new report from the International Crisis Group calls on Russian officials to end corruption or face an escalation of violence from jihadi movements.

According to a report released Tuesday by the independent non-governmental organization, without the implementation of anti-corruption measures in Russia's southern Dagestan republic, indigenous jihadi movements are likely to continue a surge in violence.

The report, entitled "Russia's Dagestan: Conflict Causes," calls for Russian authorities to encourage the youth of Dagestan to integrate into political and economic institutions. Analysts cite the interethnic conflict in the Caucasus region, along with a spillover of jihadi secessionist movements from neighboring Chechnya, as causes for many young people turning to violence.

"Large-scale war is unlikely to develop in Dagestan," Alain Deletroz, International Crisis Group vice president, Europe, said in a statement.

"Nevertheless, the federal authorities need to undertake a serious anti-corruption effort and engage with youth to break the cycle of attacks and reprisals between security forces and militants, which has grown distinctly worse in the past year."