Prior to attack on him, Imam Abdullaev received threats, Dagestani SAM reports

The Imam Magomed Abdullaev, whose family was attacked on June 23, had earlier received SMS-messages with threats, said Magomedrasul Magomedomarov, the spokesman of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims (SAM) of Dagestan.

"Magomed Abdullaev has been Imam of the Untsukul District for a bit more than a year. After the attack we didn't yet contact him, but as they say from his words, he had received SMS-messages with threats. Some people say that the attackers wanted to kidnap him, others – that to kill," Magomedrasul Magomedomarov told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

The Untsukul District of Dagestan for a very long time had been a hotbed of violent radical processes, Ruslan Gereev, the director of the Centre for Islamic Studies of Northern Caucasus, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

"Here, apart from traditional Islam, Salafi communities are very strong, especially strong among young people. A very small part of Salafis, just one-two percent, take up arms. Unfortunately, the relationships between traditionalists and Salafis are unfriendly," said the expert.

The June 23 attack on the Imam of the village of Kakhabroso, Untsukul District of Dagestan, was the second attack committed against a religious leader in Northern Caucasus since the start of 2013.