MAKHACHKALA ?€” Police in the southern Russian province of Dagestan said a Muslim cleric who criticized radical Islamists was killed by a powerful explosion.
Gitinmagomed Abdulgapurov, an imam in Buinaksk, became the fifth Muslim cleric killed in Dagestan in the past two years.
Dagestan Interior Ministry spokesman Vyacheslav Gasanov said Abdulgapurov was killed early Friday along with his bodyguard when they walked to the mosque for a prayer.
He said the makeshift explosive device, hidden in a heap of garbage and operated by a cell phone, killed the men instantly.
(AP)
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.