08:46, 18 September 2018

Law enforcers tell about inquiry into attempt on Imam Khamzat Chumakov in Ingushetia

Investigators have found proofs of involvement of three residents of Ingushetia in preparing an assassination attempt on Imam Khamzat Chumakov in 2017. The alleged leader of the attackers is trying to evade responsibility, law enforcers have stated.

In October 2017, the detention of two men became known, who, according to the FSB, planned to blow up the religious figure in Ingushetia.

Khamzat Chumakov, the Imam of the Nasyr-Kort mosque, suggested that the attempt on him was prepared by Ingush criminal clans, whose patrons are outside the republic.

The suspects are Askhab Khidriev, Mukharbek Arapiev and Mukhazhir Tovmarziev; the latter is regarded by investigators to be the leader of the criminal grouping.

Investigators have "irrefutable evidence" of the involvement of Tovmarziev, a 40-year-old resident of the Sunzha District of Ingushetia to the plotted killing of Imam Chumakov. The members of the grouping planned to blow up a car stuffed with explosives after the namaz (prayer), the "Interfax-South" writes referring to its sources.

The realization of the criminal plot could lead to a large number of victims, said Visit Tsoroev, an advocate.

Khamzat Chumakov is a popular preacher, known for his sermons exposing corruption in power bodies. He had survived two attempts before 2017.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on September 17, 2018 at 10:21 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.