Imam beaten up in Nalchik to resume work on February 9

Anzor Shkhanukov, the Imam of the "Mansour" Mosque, who was attacked in Nalchik by unidentified persons, will return to work on February 9, said the Spiritual Administration of Muslims (SAM) of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic (KBR). Now, the churchman is on sick leave after discharge from the hospital.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Anzor Shkhanukov was beaten near his home on January 31, and was hospitalized with numerous bruises and injuries. There, he was examined and sent to outpatient treatment. Shkhanukov associates the attack with his professional activities.

Zaitun Ataev, the head of the SAM's press service, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that the Imam had never received any threats before.

Mr Ataev has added that no additional circumstances of the attack were disclosed. "The attackers demanded nothing – the two men just said hello and began beating him. Now his condition is better; he was discharged from the hospital. He was in the police and testified there," said Ataev.

He added quoting the Imam's words that "the appearance and the accent of the attackers evidenced that they were locals." "Absolutely nothing is known – he had never seen them before but remembered their faces," said Ataev.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.