Imam Killed in Southern Russia after Speaking out against Islamic Militants

September 29, 2007

Author: Staff Writer

Source: AOL News

Wire Service: AP

http://news.aol.com/story/_a/imam-killed-in-southern-russia-after/n20070929121509990006

Gunmen killed an imam on his way to morning prayers in a restive southern region Saturday, a day after [he] spoke out against Islamic extremists, police said.

Nurmagomed Gadzhimagomedov was shot by attackers in a car while walking from his home to his mosque in the Dagestani settlement of Gudben, district police chief Sergei Makukha said.

Dagestan, a mostly Muslim region east of Chechnya that is home to many ethnic groups, has been plagued by shootings, bombings and other violence, including regular attacks on top officials and police. Some of the violence has been linked to Islamic extremists and some was rooted in disputes between local criminal clans.