Info on policeman killed in Makhachkala airport mass disturbances untrue - Russian Interior Ministry

MOSCOW. Oct 30 (Interfax) - Allegations that a police officer has died during overnight mass disturbances at Makhachkala airport are untrue, the Russian Interior Ministry said on Monday.

"The information disseminated in the mass media and on the Internet about the death of a police officer who took part in stopping mass disturbances on the night of October 29 to 30, on the premises of Makhachkala international airport, does not correspond with the truth, " the ministry told journalists.

Two policemen were injured and are being treated in hospital, while others were sent home after receiving medical assistance, it said.

Earlier, the Russian Investigative Committee said that on October 29 "persons who have yet to be identified started rioting and committing violence at Uytash Airport (Makhachkala), resisted law enforcement officers and used socially dangerous objects before breaking into the secure airport area and subsequently the runway towards a plane arriving from Israel and the airport terminal, where they went on a rampage."

A criminal case on mass riot charges was opened. The Interior Ministry said that 150 active participants in the riots have been identified, with 60 of them having been detained.