16:30, 9 April 2011

Imam shot dead in Dagestan

Imam Magomed Saiputdinov has been assassinated in the village of Yasnaya Polyana, Kizlyar District of Dagestan.

The worker of the mosque was killed at his home by shots from automatic firearm, reports the local MIA.

The RIA "Novosti" adds with reference to the investigation that a criminal case was initiated on the fact of the killing under Articles 105 (murder) and 222 (illegal arms circulation) of the Russian Criminal Code.

The casualty was known for his condemning the activities of illegal armed formations (IAFs) and had earlier received threats, according to the Information Centre of the National Antiterrorist Committee (NAC).

"He was widely known for his uncompromising attitude to all forms of violence; he condemned killings of innocent people and other forms of riotous behaviour of the bandit underground; and militants had repeatedly threatened to kill him," the "Interfax" quotes a source from the NAC.