Senior Muslim cleric shot dead
Anas Pshikhachev, senior Muslim cleric of Kabardino-Balkaria, was murdered in Nalchik on Wednesday evening.
"Two unidentified men challenged the chairman of the Muslim Board to come out of his home at about 7:30 p.m.," a spokesman for the Investigative Committee for Kabardino-Balkaria told Interfax.
Pshikhachev, aged 47 was fired at least four shots from 9mm pistols at him, and died from his wounds.
A criminal case of premeditated murder and illegal use of arms and ammunition has been launched in relation to the case and an investigation launched.
President Dmitry Medvedev expressed his condolences to the mufti's family.