More violence in the Caucasus

Ingushetia is a small republic (the smallest republic in the country) squeezed between N. Ossetia and Chechnya, with which it has a troubled relationship. This death, at the hands of Russian police, of a quasi-journalist (a blogger, I guess you'd call him) will likely not make the evening news, but it's another sign of the troubles in the Caucasus. Yevloyev is the latest in a long, sad list of journalists who have died under questionable circumstances in Russia.

Ingushetiya.ru Owner Shot Dead

01 September 2008
By Nabi Abdullaev / Staff Writer
The owner of the embattled opposition web site Ingushetiya.ru was killed Sunday after being detained by police, and his supporters promised massive protests that could lead to a sharp escalation in violence in the restive region.

Magomed Yevloyev, a prominent opposition member and staunch critic of Ingush President Murat Zyazikov, was detained in Ingushetia's main city of Nazran as he stepped off a plane from Moscow, his lawyer and friend Kaloi Akhilgov said by telephone.

He said Yevloyev had flown in business class with Zyazikov, a retired general from the Federal Security Service, and suggested that the two might have quarreled during the flight.

Ingush police said they had wanted to question Yevloyev in connection with an investigation into an explosion in Nazran earlier this year, Interfax reported.