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UNESCO condemns murder of magazine editor in Dagestan, Russia

UNESCO condemns murder of magazine editor in Dagestan, Russia

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The head of the United Nations agency charged with promoting press freedom today deplored the murder in Dagestan, Russia, of the editor of an Avar-language magazine.

The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), citing information from the non-governmental organization (NGO) Reporters Without Borders, said the editor Yakhya Magomedov was shot four times as he left the home of his brother, a police officer, near the northern city of Khasavyurt.

Mr. Magomedov was the editor of Avar-language version of As-Salam, which is also published in Russian and six Caucasian languages and distributed by volunteers. The magazine covers Islamic beliefs and practices.

“The news of Yakhya Magomedov’s killing is troubling,” said UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova. “The death of a journalist in violent and unexplained circumstances is always a setback for freedom of expression and freedom of the press. I deplore this killing and call on the authorities to investigate this murder and bring those responsible for it to justice.”