Accessibility links

Breaking News

Islamic Clergy Member Shot Dead In Southern Russia


KHASAVYURT, Russia -- An assistant to the imam of a local mosque has been shot dead in western Daghestan near the border with Chechnya, RFE/RL's North Caucasus Service reports.

Akhmed Osmanov was reportedly an advocate of dialogue with Muslim radicals.

He was returning home from the mosque in the village of Matsal-Aul, in the Khasavyurt district, late on November 12 when he was killed.

Osmanov was the seventh member of the Muslim clergy to be gunned down in the Caucasus this year.

Some clergymen have suggested that they be issued with weapons to protect themselves, but the chairman of the Spiritual Board of Muslims of Daghestan, Abdulla-hadji Magomedov, says doing so would only exacerbate tensions.

Magomedov told RFE/RL that the ongoing killings play into the hands of those who are out to fuel tensions in the region.

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.

To find out more, click here.

XS
SM
MD
LG