The northwestern Russian republic hit the headlines early September after a fatal brawl in the city of Kondopoga triggered a wave of protests against criminal immigrant groups from the Caucasus controlling local markets, following which some Chechens fled the city fearing for their lives.
A total of 109 people were detained on suspicion of being involved in mass disturbances in the city of 35,000, and 25 were arrested.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that chaos and lawlessness reign at clothes and food markets in the country.
"What often happens in markets can well be described with one word: lawlessness," Putin said, tasking the government with bringing order to the markets, which are said to be largely controlled by criminal groups.
