"Civil Rights Defenders" demands immediate investigation into Akhmednabi Akhmednabiev's murder

Russian authorities should take the necessary measures to ensure the protection of journalists and human rights defenders in Northern Caucasus. This was declared by the statement made by the human rights organization "Civil Rights Defenders" (Sweden) in connection with the murder of Akhmednabi Akhmednabiev, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Let us remind you that Akhmednabi Akhmednabiev was shot dead this morning in the village of Semender in Dagestan. Investigators consider the version of his murder because of his professional activities as a top priority. In Makhachkala, participants of the funeral procession carried the body of Akhmednabi Akhmednabiev along the central square, and the funeral took place in his native village of Karata of the Akhvakh District of Dagestan.

Robert Hord, Executive Director of the human rights organization "Civil Rights Defenders", believes that Akhmednabi Akhmednabiev was one of the few journalists in Dagestan, who wrote about human rights violations and crimes in the region.

"We are deeply concerned about the lack of security of journalists and other human rights defenders in Dagestan and other regions of Northern Caucasus. They work in an environment of fear that is fuelled with violence and murders. This is the time for the Russian authorities to take serious measures to protect human rights defenders in the region," Robert Hord has stated.

The human rights organization demanded that the local and federal authorities of Russian should immediately ensure prompt investigation into the murder of Akhmednabi Akhmednabiev.