The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on Thursday deplored the killing of a young journalist in Dagestan, in the volatile Russian North Caucasus region.
UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova condemned the murder of Yakhya Magomedov, the editor of an Avar-language version of As-Salam magazine which is also published in Russian and six Caucasian languages. The publication covers Islamic beliefs and practices.
"The news of Yakhya Magomedov’s killing is troubling," said Bokova. "The death of a journalist in violent and unexplained circumstances is always a setback for freedom of expression and freedom of the press."
According to the non-governmental organization Reporters Without Borders, Magomedov was gunned down in northern Dagestan on May 8. The young editor was exiting his brother's house, who is a police officer, when gunmen shot at him four times.
"I deplore this killing and call on the authorities to investigate this murder and bring those responsible for it to justice," added the UNESCO Director-General.
The murder of the young editor took place at about 10:30 p.m. local time in Kokrek, near the northern city of Khasavyurt. However, the local police said that the killing of Magomedov was accidental and denied that violence against journalists is increasing.
The police added that the target of the attack was Magomedov's brother. Several analysts said that the content of the As-Salam magazine angered Muslim fundamentalists who may have perpetrated the murder. Government officials have been also upset by the magazine's coverage of corruption.
Reporters Without Borders added that the murder of Magomedov is another example of the violence that journalists endure in the Russian Caucasus. Many of them are threatened and harassed, especially in Dagestan where violence and impunity reign.
"Threats are often carried out and those responsible are rarely punished. The murders of three journalists in the Russian Caucasus – Magomed Yevloyev, Magomedsharif Sultanmagomedov and Abdulmalik Ahmedilov – have never been punished," said the organization in a statement.
As-Salam magazine, which is distributed by volunteers, deals above all with religious beliefs and practices and has a print run of 90,000 copies. It is published by an organization called the Spiritual Leadership of the Muslims in Dagestan.
Islamist militants in the North Caucasus region have been fighting Russian security forces for years, looking to establish an independent state. Around 50 percent of all terrorist-related violence in Russia last year happened in the mainly-Muslim region.
So far this year, Russian security forces have killed 146 militants in the North Caucasus region, including 19 senior leaders. The operations have taken place in the troubled republics of Chechnya, Dagestan and Kabardino-Balkaria.
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