09:08, 20 February 2018

Investigators regard terror as a version of Kizlyar attack

The Investigating Committee © Photo by Yelena Sineok, Yuga.ru

The attack on believers in Kizlyar is investigated under the murder article, but investigators are considering all the versions of the incident, including a terror act.

On February 18, the 22-year-old Khalil Khalilov opened rifle fire at people near the church and was killed by law enforcers. Five women died; and four other persons, including a policeman and a "Rosgvardia" (Russian National Guard) fighter were wounded and stay in hospital. The shooting in Kizlyar was the first 2018 incident in Dagestan, the responsibility for which was claimed by the "Islamic State" (IS), a terrorist organization, banned in Russia. The attacker was a "lone wolf" and was not directly linked with the IS, the experts interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot" believe.

Apart from the murder and encroachment on the life of law enforcers, the attacker's actions are qualified under the article of "an attempted murder of two or more persons," the press service of the Investigating Committee of the Russian Federation (ICRF) has specified.

"The attacker's motives are being established; a terror act is among the versions," says the ICRF's website.

Let us remind you that the Kizlyar murder occurred against the background of a decrease in the number of armed incidents in Dagestan. In 2017, as compared to 2016, the number of them dropped by 62.5%, and the number of victims – by 70%.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.