Tatarstan Mufti Injured, Deputy Killed In Separate Attacks

The government-backed mufti in Russia's mainly Muslim republic of Tatarstan has been injured and his deputy killed in two separate attacks. Officials of the Muslim Spiritual Directorate said mufti Ildus Faizov sustained injuries when unknown individuals blew up his car in Tatarstan's capital, Kazan, early on July 19. He has been hospitalized. Officials said that in a second incident, the mufti's deputy, Valilulla Yakupov, was shot dead near his home in the republican capital. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attacks on the men, who are two of Tatarstan's most senior spiritual leaders. Yakupov was known for his opposition to radical Islam and religious extremism.

http://www.rferl.org/content/russia-republic-tatarstan-islamic-spiritual-leader-hurt-deputy-killed-attacks/24649890.html
http://www.echo.msk.ru/blog/echomsk/910639-echo/ (video)