Evkurov calls murderers of Security Council Secretary of Ingushetia to surrender

Those guilty of the murder of Akhmed Kotiev could rely on leniency only if they come and surrender, Yunus-Bek Evkurov, the acting head of Ingushetia, said today at a sitting of the Republic's Antiterrorist Commission.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the car that was transporting Akhmed Kotiev to his work was shelled on Tuesday morning near the village of Nizhnie Achaluki in the Malgobek District. The Security Council Secretary and his driver were shot dead.

Mr Evkurov believes that the attempt on Akhmed Kotiev had to do with his official activities. The day before the murder, on August 26, Kotiev attended a sitting of the Antiterrorist Commission of Ingushetia, where Evkurov treated the socio-political situation in the region as calm and controlled.

"There are some facts; we have an idea who did it. The task was announced; everyone knows what to do; and we'll work. The main task is to find and punish the criminals," said the acting head of Ingushetia.

More than fifteen witnesses have been questioned, said the spokesman of law enforcement bodies at the above sitting.

Akhmed Kotiev was buried today into his family cemetery in Malgobek. For three days his relatives will receive condolences; and prayer will be read in his house.