CHERKESSK, Karachayevo-Cherkessia -- Three people were arrested in Karachayevo-Cherkessia today as suspects in the murder of Imam Ismail Bostanov, RFE/RL's Russian Service reports.
Officials said one suspect is an official in the village of Nizhne-Teberdy and the others unemployed.
Investigators said they believe the murder was motivated by religious hatred.
Imam Bostanov, the rector of the Islamic Institute and deputy chairman of the Spiritual Directorate of Muslims in Karachayevo-Cherkessia and
Stavropol Krai, was
shot dead in his car on September 20 in the city of Cherkessk.
His son was severely wounded in the attack.