Former Duma deputy Nadirshakh Khachilayev was killed in Dagestani capital

Former State Duma deputy and chairman of the Dagestani chapter of the Russian Peace Fund Nadirshakh Khachilayev was killed in Makhachkala on Monday.

As it was reported at the Dagestani Interior Ministry, a group of unidentified gunmen opened fire at Khachilayev's car outside his home on Monday evening. The gunmen fled and have so far not been apprehended.

Khachilayev was elected to the Duma in 1996. On September 18, 1998, the lower house of parliament stripped him of his immunity after his armed supporters had seized the building of the Dagestani Supreme Soviet. Khachilayev was declared wanted and was arrested in October 1999.

On June 13, 2000 the Supreme Court of Dagestan returned him guilty of hostage capture organization and illegal storage of arms. But he was amnestied.

On January 2002 he was detained in connection with the investigation of the terrorist act committed in Makhachkala on January 18 and entailed death of 7 soldiers. On January 23 Khachiliyev was articled by the prosecutor?s office for illegal storage of arms and explosives. On March 11, 2002 he was acquitted by the court of the Sovetsky district of Makhachkala and was set free.