Gunmen kill moderate imam in Caucasus

AFP, MOSCOW: A local imam in Russia’s North Caucasus was shot dead on Wednesday, the latest murder of a religious leader in an area known for simmering Islamist insurgency.
Magomed Khidirov, a 34-year-old imam in the village of Kurush in the region of Dagestan bordering Chechnya, was shot dead at 4 am (0100 GMT) by two men as he headed to morning prayers, Russian investigators said. “Two unidentified men wearing masks shot the imam with a pistol,” said the Investigative Committee, which probes major crimes. Khidirov died on the spot while his assailants fled. Khidirov was known for preaching moderate traditional Islam, particularly to the region’s youth, and also ran an online television channel.

Gunmen kill moderate imam in Caucasus

AFP, MOSCOW: A local imam in Russias North Caucasus was shot dead on Wednesday, the latest murder of a religious leader in an area known for simmering Islamist insurgency. Magomed Khidirov, a 34-year-old imam in the village of Kurush in the region of Dagestan bordering Chechnya, was shot dead at 4 am (0100 GMT) by two men as he headed to morning prayers, Russian investigators said. Two unidentified men wearing masks shot the imam with a pistol, said the Investigative Committee, which probes major crimes. Khidirov died on the spot while his assailants fled. Khidirov was known for preaching moderate traditional Islam, particularly to the regions youth, and also ran an online television channel.