Rasul Gamzatov is the fourth Islamic figure killed in Northern Caucasus in 2014

The Deputy Mufti of North Ossetia Rasul Gamzatov was the fourth Muslim leader killed in Northern Caucasus since the start of 2014 and the 40th since 2009, the "Caucasian Knot" has calculated.

Rasul Gamzatov was shot dead on August 16 in Vladikavkaz, according to the local Ministry of Internal Affairs, by two unidentified gunmen, who were waiting for him near his house in one of sleeping districts of Vladikavkaz. His murder was related to his professional activities, the Mufti of North Ossetia Khadjmurat Gatsalov is sure.

The farewell ceremony with Rasul Gamzatov will take place on Sunday in Vladikavkaz; and he will be buried in the village of Elkhotovo, Kirov District of North Ossetia. According to Muslim traditions, the burial will take place before sunset, said Ibragim Dzagurov, a Mufti's assistant. Gamzatov has six children left.

In 2014, in Northern Caucasus three other Islamic leaders were killed, namely, Omaraskhab Alibegov, the Imam of the village of Stalskoe, Kizilyurt District of Dagestan; Magomed Zakaryaev, the Imam of a mosque in the village of Nechaevka, Kizilyurt District of Dagestan; and Magomed Biyarslanov, a medrese teacher from the village of Gubden, Karabudakhkent District of Dagestan.

The lack of results of investigating the murder of Ibragim Dudarov gave rise to impunity, says Khadjmurat Gatsalov.

On February 5, Rasul Gamzatov participated in a conference in Vladikavkaz on the interaction of religious, social and governmental agencies in the prevention of extremism and radicalism. There he made a report on the causes of radicalization and ways to prevent it.